The Latest Advancements in Brain Training Science: 2025 Update
- Cheng Ruan
- Jan 27
- 3 min read
As we enter 2025, the field of brain training continues to evolve rapidly, with new research shedding light on effective cognitive enhancement techniques. This article explores the latest peer-reviewed evidence on brain training, focusing on cutting-edge technologies and methodologies that show promise for improving cognitive function.
fNIRS Neurofeedback: A Promising Tool for Cognitive Enhancement
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) neurofeedback has emerged as a powerful technique for cognitive enhancement. Recent studies have demonstrated its efficacy in improving working memory and prefrontal cortex function:
- A 2023 study showed that individuals could voluntarily increase bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DL-PFC) activity through a single fNIRS neurofeedback session, with subjective feelings of control correlating with higher brain activation.
- In 2024, researchers found that a brief real-time fNIRS-informed neurofeedback training of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) led to enhanced neural activity in this region, reflecting successful acquisition of neural self-regulation.
- Another study in 2024 revealed that fNIRS neurofeedback success translated into neural activation and connectivity changes during subsequent working memory tasks, even in the absence of feedback.
EEG Neurofeedback for Cognitive Decline
Electroencephalography (EEG) based neurofeedback has shown promise in addressing cognitive decline in aging populations:
- A 2024 study investigated neurofeedback as a potential early therapeutic intervention for subjective cognitive decline (SCD) in aging populations. While the results were mixed, the study provided insights into personalized treatment approaches for cognitive enhancement.
- A feasibility study in 2025 demonstrated that neurofeedback therapy based on brain-computer interface (BCI) games could enhance cognitive functions and reduce disruptive behaviors in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients.
Music Therapy: A Non-Pharmacological Approach to Cognitive Enhancement
Music therapy has gained recognition as an effective non-pharmacological intervention for improving cognitive function in dementia patients:
- A 2023 systematic review found that music therapy improved cognitive functions in patients with Alzheimer's disease, particularly in the domains of orientation, language, and memory.
- Active music interventions, such as group singing, showed greater impacts on quality of life for people with dementia compared to passive music listening or control groups.
- A 2023 meta-analysis revealed that music therapy improved cognitive function and quality of life in people living with dementia.
## Combined Interventions: Maximizing Cognitive Benefits
Recent research has explored the potential of combining different interventions for enhanced cognitive benefits:
- A 2024 study investigated the effects of remote combined exercise-music training on physical and cognitive performance in Alzheimer's patients. The combined intervention showed significant improvements in cognitive and physical performance, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- A preliminary study in 2023 applied neurofeedback paradigms during cognitive training to increase working memory function in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The study utilized virtual reality (VR) in conjunction with cognitive training and fNIRS-neurofeedback, showing promising results.
Conclusion
As we progress through 2025, the field of brain training continues to advance rapidly. fNIRS and EEG neurofeedback, music therapy, and combined interventions offer exciting new avenues for cognitive enhancement. While these advancements are promising, continued rigorous research is necessary to fully understand the long-term impacts and optimal applications of these brain training methods.
References:
1. Yi, X., et al. (2024). Cognitive and physical impact of combined exercise and cognitive intervention in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One, 19(10), e0292647.
2. Exploring neurofeedback as a therapeutic intervention for subjective cognitive decline in aging populations. (2024). Neurobiology of Aging, 124, 33-45.
3. Feasibility Study of Neurofeedback Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease. (2025). Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 83(2), 897-909.
4. Effects of music therapy on cognition, quality of life, and neuropsychiatric symptoms of patients with dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. (2023). Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 91(3), 1101-1114.
5. Effectiveness of the Music Therapy in Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. (2024). Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, 53(1), 1-13.
6. Effect of combined physical-cognitive training on the functional and cognitive health of older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A randomized controlled trial. (2024). BMC Geriatrics, 24(1), 54.
7. Cognitive training based on functional near-infrared spectroscopy neurofeedback in patients with mild cognitive impairment: A preliminary study. (2023). Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 15, 1168815.
Citations:
[1] https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.03.14.532684v1.full
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37783097/
[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39361605/
[4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39592434/
[5] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/aging-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2023.1168815/full
[6] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39536719/
[7] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38972988/
[8] https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=135645
[9] https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4426/14/5/497
[10] https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2807450
[11] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41746-024-01384-2
[12] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/systems-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnsys.2023.1130272/full
[13] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10410268/
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