Monday, February 29, 2016

A watershed model of individual differences in fluid intelligence

More on white matter matters

A watershed model of individual differences in fluid intelligence

Abstract Fluid intelligence is a crucial cognitive ability that predicts key life outcomes across the lifespan. Strong empirical links…

Read it on Flipboard

Read it on biorxiv.org



******************************************************
Kevin McGrew, PhD
Educational Psychologist
Director, Institute for Applied Psychometrics
IAP
******************************************************

Friday, February 26, 2016

White matter matters! Brain network communication and synchronization - An oldie-but-goodie (OBG) post

White matter, in contrast to the grey squiggly mass (the cerebrum) that most people associate with the human brain, was for many years the research step-child to the cerebrum. That is no more. White matter, which has been called the brain's subway, super information system, or interstate highway communication system, now has a glass slipper. Research during the past decade has implicated white matter as performing the critical task of connecting and synchronizing different brain regions or networks so they can perform a wide variety of complex human cognitive or motor behaviors. The white matter system is considered the communication backbone system for the flow of information in the brain. Of particular interest (to me) is the parietal-frontal network, which is implicated as central to abstract human intelligence, fluid intelligence (Gf), working memory and attentional control (see prior posts re: the P-FIT model).

In a MindHub white paper I hypothesized that increasing white matter tract integrity may be a key mechanism behind the efficacy of the Interactive Metronome neuro-timing intervention (see figure below). I have gone as far as suggesting that the efficacy of many brain training/fitness programs may stem from a common domain-general effect--improving communication between and within various brain network(s) via more efficient white matter tract speed and communication. [Click on image to enlarge]
White matter integrity or dysfunction as been implicated in a wide variety of cognitive disorders or abilities, including cognitive control, math and intellectual giftedness, fluid intelligence or reasoning, processing speed, reading, decrease in cognitive functioning, meditation, working memory, vascular cognitive impairment, ADHD, autism, and cognitve and language maturation in infants. A sampling of recent white matter research article abstracts I have accumulated can be found by clicking here.
White matter matters!


Sunday, February 21, 2016

Research Byte: Conceptualization and Operationalization of Executive Function via BrowZine

Conceptualization and Operationalization of Executive Function
Baggetta, Peter; Alexander, Patricia A.
Mind, Brain, and Education, Vol. 10 Issue 1 – 2016: 10 - 33

10.1111/mbe.12100

University of Minnesota Users:
http://login.ezproxy.lib.umn.edu/login?url=http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mbe.12100/pdf

Non-University of Minnesota Users: (Full text may not be available)
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mbe.12100/pdf

Accessed with BrowZine, supported by University of Minnesota.

Sunday, February 07, 2016

Research Byte: Schooling duration rather than chronological age predicts working memory between 6 and 7 years: Memory Maestros Study. - PubMed



Schooling duration rather than chronological age predicts working memory between 6 and 7 years: Memory Maestros Study. - PubMed

OBJECTIVE: Low working memory (WM) is strongly linked with poor academic…

Read it on Flipboard

Read it on ncbi.nlm.nih.gov




Neuro-hit or neuro-myth?



Neuro-hit or neuro-myth?

Teachers and parents have a great enthusiasm for the brain sciences and the light they can shed on children's and adults' learning in educational environments. We share that…

Read it on Flipboard

Read it on educationalneuroscience.org.uk




Friday, February 05, 2016

Research Byte: Does Music Training Enhance Literacy Skills? A Meta-Analysis



Does Music Training Enhance Literacy Skills? A Meta-Analysis

Keywords: music training, reading, literacy, phonological awareness, meta-analysis, brain development Citation: Gordon RL, Fehd HM and…

Read it on Flipboard

Read it on journal.frontiersin.org




Wednesday, February 03, 2016

Research Byte: Cognitive training enhances intrinsic brain connectivity in childhood. - Abstract



Cognitive training enhances intrinsic brain connectivity in childhood. - Abstract

Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, N.I.H.,…

Read it on Flipboard

Read it on europepmc.org