Reorganization and plastic changes of the human brain associated with skill learning and expertise

Abstract

Novel experience and learning new skills are known as modulators of brain function. Advances in non-invasive brain imaging have provided new insight into structural and functional reorganization associated with skill learning and expertise. Especially, significant imaging evidences come from the domains of sports and music. Data from in vivo imaging studies in sports and music have provided vital information on plausible neural substrates contributing to brain reorganization underlying skill acquisition in humans. This mini review will attempt to take a narrow snapshot of imaging findings demonstrating functional and structural plasticity that mediate skill learning and expertise while identifying converging areas of interest and possible avenues for future research.

Keywords: expertise; neuro imaging; plasticity; reorganization; skill learning.

Figure 1

Advances in neuro imaging technique have provided new insights into the neuroplastic changes underlying skill learning and expertise at both structural and functional levels. At structural level, a main finding is increased gray matter volume or density of brain areas associated with skill learning. In functional reorganization, functional imaging evidence has shown that functional neuroplasticity occurs not only in the motor domain but also in cognitive and perceptual domains associated with improved performances.