Thursday, March 31, 2016

Research Byte: Multivariate Associations of Fluid Intelligence (Gf) and NAA - Is the P-FIT it?

When it rains--it pours.  Second posting today of research study reinforcing the importance of the P-FIT neuro-model of intelligence.

In a prior Interactive Metronome-Home blog post I provide an overview description of the P-FIT model.

 
Multivariate Associations of Fluid Intelligence and NAA

  1. Ryan J. Larsen1
+ Author Affiliations
  1. 1Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology
  2. 2Neuroscience Program and
  3. 3Psychology Department, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
  4. 4Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
  5. 5Psychology Department, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
  1. Address correspondence to Aki Nikolaidis. Email: g.aki.nikolaidis@gmail.com

Abstract

Understanding the neural and metabolic correlates of fluid intelligence not only aids scientists in characterizing cognitive processes involved in intelligence, but it also offers insight into intervention methods to improve fluid intelligence. Here we use magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) to measure N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), a biochemical marker of neural energy production and efficiency. We use principal components analysis (PCA) to examine how the distribution of NAA in the frontal and parietal lobes relates to fluid intelligence. We find that a left lateralized frontal-parietal component predicts fluid intelligence, and it does so independently of brain size, another significant predictor of fluid intelligence. These results suggest that the left motor regions play a key role in the visualization and planning necessary for spatial cognition and reasoning, and we discuss these findings in the context of the Parieto-Frontal Integration Theory of intelligence.

Research Byte: Frontal and Parietal Cortices Show Different Spatiotemporal Dynamics across Problem-solving Stages. - PubMed



Yet another study supporting the P-FIT neuro model of intelligence. Overview of P-FIT here. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parieto-frontal_integration_theory

Frontal and Parietal Cortices Show Different Spatiotemporal Dynamics across Problem-solving Stages. - PubMed

Arithmetic problem-solving can be conceptualized as a multistage process ranging from task…

Read it on Flipboard

Read it on ncbi.nlm.nih.gov




The 'Brain-Hacking' Wearable That Promises to Recharge Your Mind

Interesting, but this still strikes me as risky and need of considerable research to determine any potential negative side effects.

The 'Brain-Hacking' Wearable That Promises to Recharge Your Mind

From Inc. Magazine on Flipboard

Wearable tech startup Thync says its headband product can reduce stress and give your mood a boost. Electric shock therapy is coming to…

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Read it on inc.com




Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Not All Mind Wandering Is Created Equal

Mind wandering research has exploded this past decade.  I have oodles of PDF articles in a mind wandering folder that I wish I had time to digest.  Important information being learned about the brain networks involved (default, salience, and central executive networks in particular)

Not All Mind Wandering Is Created Equal

Mind wandering—sometimes seen as daydreaming or "zoning out"—has been shown to facilitate creative thinking and problem solving, but in the wrong context it can…

Read it on Flipboard

Read it on psychologicalscience.org




Research Byte: Brain Network Adaptability across Task States



Brain Network Adaptability across Task States

Abstract Activity in the human brain moves between diverse functional states to meet the demands of our dynamic environment, but fundamental principles…

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Read it on journals.plos.org




Keith Connors, Father of ADHD, Regrets Its Current Misuse



Keith Connors, Father of ADHD, Regrets Its Current Misuse

Keith Conners can rightly be called the "Father of ADHD". He was there at the birth of the disorder and probably knows more about it than…

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Read it on psychologytoday.com




Monday, March 28, 2016

Research Byte: Long-Term Effects of an Extensive Cognitive Training on Personality Development - Sander - Journal of Personality



Long-Term Effects of an Extensive Cognitive Training on Personality Development - Sander - Journal of Personality

1 German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin), Berlin, Germany 2 Freie…

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Read it on onlinelibrary.wiley.com



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

MindMaze Develop Virtual Reality-Based Recovery Programs For Patients With Brain Injury



MindMaze Develop Virtual Reality-Based Recovery Programs For Patients With Brain Injury

By Morten Bjørklund Acquired brain injury is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Its complex…

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Read it on mindsofmalady.com




Sunday, March 27, 2016

Back on the scent: the olfactory system in CNS demyelinating diseases - Go in CHC model

Yet another reason why Go (general olfactory abilities) are a good recent addition to the CHC taxonomy of human abilities.   File under Go

Back on the scent: the olfactory system in CNS demyelinating diseases

• Albert Joseph1, • Gabriele C DeLuca2 1Foundation School Offices, St Mary's Hospital, London, UK • 2Nuffield Department of…

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Read it on jnnp.bmj.com




Saturday, March 26, 2016

Meditation and Brain Update 2014



Meditation and Brain Update 2014

In the past year considerable research has been done on how meditation increases awareness while, also, increasing physical and mental health. This post will update…

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Read it on jonlieffmd.com




Friday, March 25, 2016

Working memory training (dual n-back) study suggests improvement in white matter tract integrity: White matter matters


White matter matters.  Yes, my readers may be tiring of this common mantra. 

But, another new study has again implicated the importance of white matter integrity.  More importantly, the study suggests that a working memory training program (dual n-back) may be effective in increasing white matter integrity, thus increasing the efficiency and synchronization of communication between different brain networks.  Click on the images below to enlarge.

 


This study is consistent with my hypothesis that the effectiveness of some brain training programs may be due to increased white matter tract integrity.  An explanation, with a link to a MindHub pub white paper outlining this hypothesis, can be found here.  Other white matter related posts can be found here.