Publications

@article{Sauce2021,
title = {Change by challenge: A common genetic basis behind childhood cognitive development and cognitive training},
author = {Bruno Sauce, John Wiedenhoeft, Nicholas Judd, Torkel Klingberg},
doi = {10.1038/s41539-021-00096-6},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-06-02},
journal = {Nature Science of Learning},
abstract = {The interplay of genetic and environmental factors behind cognitive development has preoccupied multiple fields of science and sparked heated debates over the decades. Here we tested the hypothesis that developmental genes rely heavily on cognitive challenges—as opposed to natural maturation. Starting with a polygenic score (cogPGS) that previously explained variation in cognitive performance in adults, we estimated its effect in 344 children and adolescents (mean age of 12 years old, ranging from 6 to 25) who showed changes in working memory (WM) in two distinct samples: (1) a developmental sample showing significant WM gains after 2 years of typical, age-related development, and (2) a training sample showing significant, experimentally-induced WM gains after 25 days of an intense WM training. We found that the same genetic factor, cogPGS, significantly explained the amount of WM gain in both samples. And there was no interaction of cogPGS with sample, suggesting that those genetic factors are neutral to whether the WM gains came from development or training. These results represent evidence that cognitive challenges are a central piece in the gene-environment interplay during cognitive development. We believe our study sheds new light on previous findings of interindividual differences in education (rich-get-richer and compensation effects), brain plasticity in children, and the heritability increase of intelligence across the lifespan.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Dumontheil2012,
title = {Brain activity during a visuospatial working memory task predicts arithmetical performance 2 years later},
author = {Iroise Dumontheil and Torkel Klingberg},
doi = {10.1093/cercor/bhr175},
issn = {10473211},
year = {2012},
date = {2012-01-01},
journal = {Cerebral Cortex},
volume = {22},
number = {5},
pages = {1078--1085},
abstract = {Visuospatial working memory (WM) capacity is highly correlated with mathematical reasoning abilities and can predict future development of arithmetical performance. Activity in the intraparietal sulcus (IPS) during visuospatial WM tasks correlates with interindividual differences in WM capacity. This region has also been implicated in numerical representation, and its structure and activity reflect arithmetical performance impairments (e.g., dyscalculia). We collected behavioral (N = 246) and neuroimaging data (N = 46) in a longitudinal sample to test whether IPS activity during a visuospatial WM task could provide more information than psychological testing alone and predict arithmetical performance 2 years later in healthy participants aged 6-16 years. Nonverbal reasoning and verbal and visuospatial WM measures were found to be independent predictors of arithmetical outcome. In addition, WM activation in the left IPS predicted arithmetical outcome independently of behavioral measures. A logistic model including both behavioral and imaging data showed improved sensitivity by correctly classifying more than twice as many children as poor arithmetical performers after 2 years than a model with behavioral measures only. These results demonstrate that neuroimaging data can provide useful information in addition to behavioral assessments and be used to improve the identification of individuals at risk of future low academic performance.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Dumontheil2011,
title = {Influence of the COMT Genotype on Working Memory and Brain Activity Changes During Development},
author = {Iroise Dumontheil and Chantal Roggeman and Tim Ziermans and Myriam Peyrard-Janvid and Hans Matsson and Juha Kere and Torkel Klingberg},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006322311002022?via%3Dihub},
doi = {10.1016/J.BIOPSYCH.2011.02.027},
issn = {0006-3223},
year = {2011},
date = {2011-08-01},
journal = {Biological Psychiatry},
volume = {70},
number = {3},
pages = {222--229},
publisher = {Elsevier},
abstract = {BACKGROUND
The Valine158Methionine (Val158Met) polymorphism of the COMT gene leads to lower enzymatic activity and higher dopamine availability in Met carriers. The Met allele is associated with better performance and reduced prefrontal cortex activation during working memory (WM) tasks in adults. Dopaminergic system changes during adolescence may lead to a reduction of basal dopamine levels, potentially affecting Met allele benefits during development.

METHODS We investigated the association of COMT genotype with behavioral (n = 322) and magnetic resonance imaging data (n = 81–84) collected during performance of a visuospatial WM task and potential changes in these effects during development (reflected in age × genotype interactions). Data were collected from a cross-sectional and longitudinal typically developing sample of 6- to 20-year-olds.

RESULTS
Visuospatial WM capacity exhibited an age × genotype interaction, with a benefit of the Met allele emerging after 10 years of age. There was a parallel age × genotype interaction on WM-related activation in the right inferior frontal gyrus and intraparietal sulcus (IPS), with increases in activation with age in the Val/Val group only. Main effects of COMT genotype were also observed in the IPS, with greater gray matter volumes bilaterally and greater right IPS activation in the Val/Val group compared with the Met carriers.

CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that COMT genotype effects on WM brain activity and behavior are not static during development. The full developmental picture should be considered when trying to understand the impact of genetic polymorphisms on the mature cognition of healthy adult or psychiatric populations.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Soderqvist2010,
title = {The SNAP25 Gene Is Linked to Working Memory Capacity and Maturation of the Posterior Cingulate Cortex During Childhood},
author = {Stina Söderqvist and Fiona McNab and Myriam Peyrard-Janvid and Hans Matsson and Keith Humphreys and Juha Kere and Torkel Klingberg and Stina Sderqvist and Fiona McNab and Myriam Peyrard-Janvid and Hans Matsson and Keith Humphreys and Juha Kere and Torkel Klingberg},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2010.07.036 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006322310008851#sec7},
doi = {10.1016/J.BIOPSYCH.2010.07.036},
issn = {0006-3223},
year = {2010},
date = {2010-12-01},
journal = {Biological Psychiatry},
volume = {68},
number = {12},
pages = {1120--1125},
publisher = {Elsevier},
abstract = {BACKGROUND
Working memory (WM) is the ability to retain task relevant information. This ability is important for a wide range of cognitive tasks, and WM deficits are a central cognitive impairment in neurodevelopment disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Although WM capacity is known to be highly heritable, most genes involved remain unidentified.

METHODS
Single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes previously associated with cognitive functions or ADHD were selected for genotyping. Associations of these with WM tasks were investigated in a community sample of 330 children and young adults. One single nucleotide polymorphisms was also investigated in an independent sample of 88 4-year-old children. Furthermore, association between brain structure and activity, as measured by magnetic resonance imaging techniques, and single nucleotide polymorphisms alleles were estimated in 88 participants.

RESULTS
Genotype at rs363039, located in the gene coding for synaptosomal-associated protein, 25 kDa (SNAP25) was associated to WM capacity in both samples. Associations in the community sample were also found with measures of other cognitive functions. In addition, this polymorphism affected the gray matter and brain activity in the posterior cingulate cortex, an area included in the so-called default mode network previously correlated to regulation of attention and hypothesized to be implicated in ADHD.

CONCLUSIONS
A novel gene–brain–behavior network was identified in which a genotype located in SNAP25 affects WM and has age-dependent effects on both brain structure and brain activity. Identifying such networks could be a key to better understanding cognitive development as well as some of its disorders.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}