Dynamic gray matter changes within cortex and striatum after short motor skill training are associated with their increased functional interaction

► We were interested in the early dynamic time course of gray matter (GM) changes. ► Daily fMRI and T1-MRIs were acquired over a 5-day left-hand-training period. ► Motor skill improvement was associated with GM increase in cortical regions. ► Shortest GM increase was evident within ventral striatum (VS). ► GM increase within VS was functionally linked to GM changes in cortical regions.