Changes in Cortical Dopamine D1 Receptor Binding Associated with Cognitive Training

Fiona McNab,¹ Andrea Varrone,² Lars Farde,^2,3 Aurelija Jucaite,^2,3 Paulina Bystritsky,¹ Hans Forssberg,¹ Torkel Klingberg^1*

Working memory is a key function for human cognition, dependent on adequate dopamine neurotransmission. Here we show that the training of working memory, which improves working memory capacity, is associated with changes in the density of cortical dopamine D1 receptors. Fourteen hours of training over 5 weeks was associated with changes in both prefrontal and parietal D1 binding potential. This plasticity of the dopamine D1 receptor system demonstrates a reciprocal interplay between mental activity and brain biochemistry in vivo.

¹ Neuropediatric Unit, Department of Woman and Child Health, Stockholm Brain Institute, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
² Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Psychiatry Section, Stockholm Brain Institute, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
³ AstraZeneca Research and Development, Södertälje, Sweden.