Jing Hao PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Huawei Ling, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Vincent Denolin , Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Kemin Chen MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Danielle Baleriaux PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

To investigate brain activation patterns related to radiological training and understand the mechanisms of brain plasticity in the visual processing system.

Twelve healthy young radiologists (mean age, 30.3 years ±3.6) and 8 senior radiologist subjects (mean age, 46.3 years ±4.7) with more than 10-year radiological experience, were included in the study. Each participant completed three visual search tasks across which we manipulated (1) the different search strategy: feature binding and subset group; (2) the degree of search efficiency: efficient or inefficient. The experiment paradigm followed a classic block design. All images were acquired using a Philips Achieva 3.0 Tesla MRI system at Erasme hospital. A single-shot EPI technique with BOLD was chosen. SPM 2 was used for data analysis. Statistical comparison between experimental factors was based on the random effects model. The statistical threshold was set at P < 0.001 uncorrected for multiple comparisons.

Some brain activation areas were common to all tasks in both groups, engaging an extensive network of parietal, frontal and occipital areas, as well as some subcortical areas. Partial overlap in the locations of activation resulting from different search tasks was found. Activity in most areas was enhanced during the more complex and attention demanding tasks. Important differences between both groups were found: the senior radiologists showed decreased activation in both parietal, frontal and some visual cortical areas for the efficient search tasks; Increased activation in both frontal, parietal and subcortical areas, decreased activation was found in some visual cortical areas for the ineffective search task. Activation in the parietal lobes for the senior radiologists was strongly lateralized to the left hemisphere.

The present study demonstrated changes in neuronal activity in experienced radiologists during visual search tasks. Radiological training results in the recruitment of neural networks for visual processing system, the lateralization of which could be influenced by subject strategy.

fMRI allows identification of "brain remodeling" in radiologists using visual attention tasks.

Hao, J, Ling, H, Denolin , V, Chen, K, Baleriaux, D, The Effect of Radiological Training on the Neural Correlates of Visual Attention.  Radiological Society of North America 2006 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 1, 2006 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2006/4440412.html