Lenticular nucleus volume predicts performance in real-time strategy game - cross-sectional and training approach using voxel-based morphometry

Abstract

It is unclear why some people learn faster than others. We performed two independent studies in which we investigated the neural basis of real-time strategy (RTS) gaming and neural predictors of RTS games skill-acquisition. In the first (cross-sectional) study we found that experts in the RTS game StarCraft II (SC2) had a larger lenticular nucleus volume than non-RTS players. We followed a cross validation procedure where we used the volume of regions identified in the first study to predict the quality of learning a new, complex skill (SC2) in a sample of individuals who were naïve to RTS games (second training study). Our findings provide new insights into how the volume of lenticular nucleus, which is associated with motor as well as cognitive functions, can be utilized to predict successful skill-learning, and be applied to a much broader context than just video games, e.g. contributing to optimizing cognitive training interventions.

The role of individual differences in attentional blink phenomenon and real-time-strategy game proficiency

“…In fact, as demonstrated by Kramer and Erickson's research group (Erickson et al, 2010), variability in performance in demanding video games can be predicted from variations in the pretraining volume of striatum. We found a similar pattern of results (Kowalczyk et al, 2020). These results seem to suggest that neuroanatomical differences can serve as effective predictors of procedural learning and cognitive flexibility during complex skill acquisition.…”