Spatial visualization training updates, one year later: Changes to brain function help close performance gaps

Although spatial skills are critical for success in STEM fields and daily life, they are not typically emphasized in traditional education, despite being highly malleable. Uncovering the cognitive and neural mechanisms of spatial learning will help us to refine spatial education and understand the specific subprocesses contributing to success. In 60 adults, spatial visualization training successfully improves spatial performance and alters brain activity during spatial processing in two functionally specific and distinct networks: spatial-numerical transformation and geometric comparison. Behavioral and brain plasticity was greatest in those who initially struggled with spatial skills. These results show that spatial training is effective at closing performance gaps, can transfer to untrained domains, and systematically refines neural processing.