Brain Functional Specialization is Enhanced among Tai Chi Chuan Practitioners

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the effect of long-term Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) practice on practitioners’ brain functional specialization compare with the TCC novices. Methods: 22 TCC practitioners (52.4 ± 6.8 years; 7 males; educated years:12.18 ± 3.03 years) and 18 healthy controls (54.8 ± 6.8 years; 8 males; education years:11.78 ± 2.90 years) matched by age, sex, and education were enrolled. Participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning and cognitive test to measure the differences in functional specialization and cognitive function. Functional specialization was evaluated by voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) method. Results: Lower middle frontal gyrus (MFG) VMHC in TCC practitioners compared to controls. For TCC practitioners, the longer they practice, the lower their VMHC in precentral and precuneus. TCC practitioners showed better cognition performance. Limitations: Relatively small sample size. Conclusions: Changed VMHC indicated that TCC practice could enhance functional specialization in the middle frontal cortex of practitioners, which may be associated with higher-order cognitive ability.