Showing posts with label neuropsychology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label neuropsychology. Show all posts

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.

Tuesday, March 05, 2013

MindHub Pub #2: The Science Behind Interactive Metronome: An Integration of Brain Clock, Temporal Processing, Brain Network and Neurocognitive Research and Theory






The second MindHub Pub working paper is now available:  The Science Behind Interactive Metronome:  An Integration of Brain Clock, Temporal Processing, Brain Network and Neurocognitive Research and Theory.  The PDF document can be viewed/downloaded by clicking here.

This working paper is an integration of research and theory that attempts to explain the science behind the positive outcomes of the Interactive Metronome rehabilitative and brain training neurotechnology (the IM effect).  A three-level explanatory model involving three different levels of brain and neurocognitive constructs (McGrew, 2012) is described.   The three-levels are presented in the visual summary in the figure below.  Although the text focuses on explaining the IM effect on cognitive functions (focus, controlled attention, working memory, executive functions), the three-level hypothesized model should be considered a general explanatory framework for understanding the positive IM effect in other human performance domains as well (e.g., recovery from stroke; gait; motor coordination).

 The three-level model described here can also be viewed as an IM-free integration of research and theory that explains the relations between the temporal processing (temporal g) of the human brain clock (s), brain regions and networks, brain network communication and synchronization (the parietal-frontal integration theory of intelligence [P-FIT] in particular), and the neurocognitive constructs of controlled attention (focus), working memory, and executive functioning.

[Click on image to enlarge]

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Brain network research and the P-FIT model of intelligence: The Time Doc's working notebooks

I have been slammed with work this summer an have been unable to blog about exciting research I have been reading in the area of brain networks. I did start a series on the P-FIT model of intelligence, but have yet to get back to it as planned. I will...but it will take some time before I can push more projects off my desk.

I have been dutifully compiling working notebooks on two of the most exciting topics and have decided to make them available to readers now. They include abstracts, images, and select text from various sources. I seem to find new research in these two areas almost daily...so just maintaining these working notebooks is all I have been able to keep up with. I hope readers find them interesting.

Links to the two notebooks are below...and they will also be available at Reports and Publications section (Neurotechnology subsection) of the MindHub





The first is the "Your brain is a network: The Human Connectome and brain network research notebook". It is suggested you view these notes first as the second fits within this context. [Click on images to enlarge]




The second is "Parietal-Frontal Intelligence: The P-FIT research notebook"



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www.themindhub.com

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

The NIH Toolbox for Assessment of Neurological and Behavioral Function to be unveiled





Meeting Unveils NIH Neurological, Behavioral Toolbox for Clinical Research

Registration is now open for “Unveiling the NIH Toolbox”, a free scientific conference Sept. 10-11 presenting the NIH Toolbox for Assessment of Neurological and Behavioral Function— a set of brief but comprehensive neurological and behavioral health measurements designed for use particularly in large-scale research studies such as epidemiological studies or clinical trials. Developed by a team of more than 250 scientists from nearly 100 academic institutions, the NIH Toolbox provides a battery of on-line and royalty-free measures of motor, cognitive, sensory and emotional function for study participants aged 3 to 85 years. Developed under the auspices of the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research, a coalition that creates new tools and resources to advance neuroscience research, the highly anticipated NIH Toolbox promotes economies of scale and enhanced efficiency in measurement.

Taking place in Bethesda, Md., the meeting features lectures, interactive demonstrations and panel discussions about the development, testing and use of the NIH Toolbox in biomedical research. An optional “Administering the NIH Toolbox” training workshop follows the conference on Sept. 12-15. To register for the conference and/or training workshop or to learn more about the NIH Toolbox



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www.themindhub.com

Sunday, May 06, 2012

EDDA 2012 ADHD newsletter article




Newsletter article regarding 2012 Las Vegas conference available here.

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www.themindhub.com

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience: Simply AWESOME




I just spent some time browsing the articles lined up for forthcoming publication in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience. As a researcher who is looking for good research that links my primary are of interest (intelligence and measurement of intelligence) with underlying brain mechanisms, I think I have found the pot-o-gold at the end of the brain-behavior rainbow. Below is the list of articles the journal currently has "waiting in the wings." The depth and breadth is amazing. I have added this journal to my RSS feed so I can stay up-to-date when articles are published.

What a way to start my day. Finding this will sipping my morning java. Now if I could only fine time to read just a 1/4 of these articles.

Well MIT Press.

Double click on images to enlarge



























































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Saturday, March 05, 2011

Educational neuroscience: Mind Brain and Education




I just stumbled upon a new journal that appears worthy to monitor. It is a journal dealing with the field of educational neuroscience--Mind Brain and Education. Below are a select sample of article abstracts.


Blair, C. (2010). Going Down to the Crossroads: Neuroendocrinology, Developmental Psychobiology, and Prospects for Research at the Intersection of Neuroscience and Education. Mind Brain and Education, 4(4), 182-187.

The relation of stress hormones and activity in stress response systems to the development of aspects of cognition and behavior important for educational achievement and attainment is examined from the perspective of the developmental psychobiological model. It is proposed that research in neuroendocrinology supports three general conclusions, namely (1) that there is a neuroscientifically definable optimal level of stress arousal in children against which various curricula and teaching and learning activities can be examined; (2) that consideration of the time course of stress arousal indicates that optimal levels of stress arousal are temporally limited and can be matched to specific instructional activities; and (3) that alterations to stress response systems through processes of allostasis and allostatic load, particularly for children facing early psychosocial disadvantage, can impair the flexible regulation of stress response systems needed for effective learning in school.



Fischer, K. W., Goswami, U., & Geake, J. (2010). The Future of Educational Neuroscience. Mind Brain and Education, 4(2), 68-80

The primary goal of the emerging field of educational neuroscience and the broader movement called Mind, Brain, and Education is to join biology with cognitive science, development, and education so that education can be grounded more solidly in research on learning and teaching. To avoid misdirection, the growing worldwide movement needs to avoid the many myths and distortions in popular conceptions of brain and genetics. It should instead focus on integrating research with practice to create useful evidence that illuminates the brain and genetic bases as well as social and cultural influences on learning and teaching. Scientists and educators need to collaborate to build a strong research foundation for analyzing the “black box” of biological and cognitive processes that underpin learning.


Newcombe, N. S., & Frick, A. (2010). Early Education for Spatial Intelligence: Why, What, and How. Mind Brain and Education, 4(3), 102-111

Spatial representation and thinking have evolutionary importance for any mobile organism. In addition, they help reasoning in domains that are not obviously spatial, for example, through the use of graphs and diagrams. This article reviews the literature suggesting that mental spatial transformation abilities, while present in some precursory form in infants, toddlers, and preschool children, also undergo considerable development and show important individual differences, which are malleable. These findings provide the basis for thinking about how to promote spatial thinking in preschools, at home, and in children's play. Integrating spatial content into formal and informal instruction could not only improve spatial functioning in general but also reduce differences related to gender and socioeconomic status that may impede full participation in a technological society.


Sylvan, L. J., & Christodoulou, J. A. (2010). Understanding the Role of Neuroscience in Brain Based Products: A Guide for Educators and Consumers. Mind Brain and Education, 4(1), 1-7.

This article describes an experiment utilizing a research and development strategy to design and implement an innovative school for the future. The development of Cramim Elementary School was a joint effort of researchers from Tel-Aviv University and the staff of the school. The design stage involved constructing a new theoretical framework that defined school as a knowledge system, based on the state of the art, interdisciplinary study of the nature of humans, and the nature of knowledge. A new school design emerged based on this theoretical framework and the school was opened in 1995. Action research followed for 8 years and the results indicated that the school has emerged as a learning organization and successfully integrated knowledge technologies into the learning processes of both students and teachers. Differentiated teaching strategy resulted in a significant increase in achievements (+11% in maths, literacy, and science; +10% in literacy in kindergarten; persistence of higher achievement in junior high schools). The greatest beneficiaries were low-achieving students. As the school is a highly complex system, individual variables contributing to the increased effectiveness could not be isolated. The article's conclusion is that experimental schools are a productive strategy to bring about changes, but unless these schools are part and parcel of the culture of the mainstream education system culture, they are destined to remain isolated cases.


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Thursday, February 10, 2011

Research Bytes: Neuro-imaging research--brain networks and public interest


Beck, D. M. (2010). The Appeal of the Brain in the Popular Press. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 5(6), 762-766.

Since the advent of human neuroimaging, and of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in particular, the popular press has shown an increasing interest in brain-related findings. In this article, I explore possible reasons behind this interest, including recent data suggesting that people find brain images and neuroscience language more convincing than results that make no reference to the brain (McCabe & Castel, 2008; Weisberg, Keil, Goodstein, Rawson, & Gray, 2008). I suggest that part of the allure of these data are the deceptively simply messages they afford, as well as general, but sometimes misguided, confidence in biological data. In addition to cataloging some misunderstandings by the press and public, I highlight the responsibilities of the research scientist in carefully conveying their work to the general public.


Gonsalves, B. D., & Cohen, N. J. (2010). Brain Imaging, Cognitive Processes, and Brain Networks. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 5(6), 744-752.


McDonald, R. P. (2010). Structural Models and the Art of Approximation. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 5(6), 675-686

Structural equation models have provided a seemingly rigorous method for investigating causal relations in nonexperimental data in the presence of measurement error or multiple measures of putative causes or effects. Methods have been developed for fitting these very complex models globally and obtaining global fit statistics or global measures of their approximation to sample data. Structural equation models are idealizations that can serve only as approximations to real multivariate data. Further, these models are multidimensional, and the approximation is itself multidimensional. Tests of “significance” and global indices of approximation do not provide an adequate basis for judging the acceptability of the approximation. Standard applications of structural models use a composite of two models—a measurement (path) model and a path (causal) model. Separate analyses of the measurement model and the path model provide an informed judgment, whereas the composite global analysis can easily yield unreasonable conclusions. Separating the component models enables a careful assessment of the actual constraints implied by the path model, using recently developed methods. An empirical example shows how the conventional global treatment yields unacceptable conclusions


Poldrack, R. A. (2010). Mapping Mental Function to Brain Structure: How Can Cognitive Neuroimaging Succeed? Perspectives on Psychological Science, 5(6), 753-761

The goal of cognitive neuroscience is to identify the mapping between brain function and mental processing. In this article, I examine the strategies that have been used to identify such mappings and argue that they may be fundamentally unable to identify selective structure–function mappings. To understand the functional anatomy of mental processes, it will be necessary for researchers to move from the brain-mapping strategies that the field has employed toward a search for selective associations. This will require a greater focus on the structure of cognitive processes, which can be achieved through the development of formal ontologies that describe the structure of mental processes. In this article, I outline the Cognitive Atlas Project, which is developing such ontologies, and show how this knowledge could be used in conjunction with data-mining approaches to more directly relate mental processes and brain function.


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Saturday, February 05, 2011

Research Byte: Why we sometimes struggle with cognitive self-regulation




I think the following "in press" article is important. Why? Because I have been actively involved in reading research to better understand cognitive performance (working memory and executive attention in particular), the IQ Brain Clock (role of mental timing in human performance), and neuro-technology interventions (e.g., Interactive Metronome) that seem to improve cognitive efficiency. Across these different strands of research I have CONSTANTLY run across a number of common factors. In particular, I am constantly finding the dorsolateral pre-frontal cortex (PFC) as being critical to cognitive efficiency (working memory and cognitive processing speed), which in turn impacts intellectual functioning, especially Gf or fluid reasoning. The same brain area is implicated in mental timing and IM-interventions.

The article below continues to suggest a prominent role of the dlPFC, this time in self-regulation behavior. Of importance, IMHO, is the conclusion (near the end of the article) that this may be a domain-general mechanism. This is important, as it is consistent with my hypothesis why neuro-tech IM and other working memory interventions seem to improve performance across vastly different human performance domains. Clearly the dlPFC, and the functions it regulates (working memory, controlled executive attention, mental timing), is important and focal to understanding a number of related areas of research.


Heatherington & Wagner Cognitive neuroscience of self-regulation failure Review Article. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 26 January 2011

Abstract

Self-regulatory failure is a core feature of many social and mental health problems. Self-regulation can be undermined by failures to transcend overwhelming temptations, negative moods and resource depletion, and when minor lapses in self-control snowball into self-regulatory collapse. Cognitive neuroscience research suggests that successful self-regulation is dependent on top-down control from the prefrontal cortex over subcortical regions involved in reward and emotion. We highlight recent neuroimaging research on self-regulatory failure, the findings of which support a balance model of self-regulation whereby self-regulatory failure occurs whenever the balance is tipped in favor of subcortical areas, either due to particularly strong impulses or when prefrontal function itself is impaired. Such a model is consistent with recent findings in the cognitive neuroscience of addictive behavior, emotion regulation and decision-making.

Click on image to enlarge for better readability.


Article Outline

The advantages of self-control
Self-regulation failure
Negative moods
Lapse-activated consumption
Cue exposure
Self-regulatory resource depletion
Functional neuroimaging studies of self-regulation
Regulation of appetitive behaviors
Regulation of emotions
Regulation of attitudes and prejudice
Prefrontal–subcortical balance model of self-regulation
Why do people fail at self-regulation?
Concluding remarks
Acknowledgements
References


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Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Research bytes: Interactive Metronome (brain-clock based) efficacy study with stroke patients




If you check out my conflict of interest statement at this blog, it should be no secret that the reason I started this blog is because I became involved in an academic intervention that utilized the Interactive Metronome neurotechnology. The results were very positive and I set out on a mission to determine why it worked across such diverse domains as academics, stroke rehab, ADHD, golf, etc. ("What's happening under the hood" - see PPT slideshow section of blog).

Today I found a report in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy that demonstrated the effectiveness of the IM (brain-clock based IMHO) method in two stroke victims. Yes, this is a clinical n=2 study...but is consistent with other mental timing intervention studies. Of particular interest is the authors discussion of the efficacy of the intervention without the need for large-scale technology and apparatus. Sometimes simple/elegant is better.

Below is the abstract. Click here to read the complete article. Click here to see all prior blog posts that make some mention of the IM method, or non-IM research that is related.

As noted above, I do have a conflict of interest as I am on the IM Scientific Advisory Board. You should be able to enlarge the image by clicking on it. If not, go to the article link.


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Thursday, December 23, 2010

Research byte: Population clocks model of motor timing (Buonomano & Laje, 2010)







Double click on image to enlarge

Buonomano and Laje (2010) have presented an interesting description of a population clocks model to explain motor timing. The article is a hard read....and if it is too difficult, just do what I did....enjoy the lovely graphic figures. Seriously...this is an important contribution to understanding motor timing in motor performance. I will need to digest it more than once. Probably the most useful aspect of the article is the nice intro overview of the various theoretical models that have been advanced to explain the human brain clock.



The PDF article includes highlights and notes as per the IQs Reading blog feature.

The article will be added to the Key Research Articles section of this blog.


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Thursday, October 07, 2010

Research bytes 10-7-10: Recovery of time estimation in TBI

Recovery of time estimation following moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. Anderson, Jonathan W.; Schmitter-Edgecombe, Maureen Neuropsychology, Oct 4, 2010, No Pagination Specified. doi: 10.1037/a0020333

Objective: Accurate time estimation abilities are thought to play an important role in efficient performance of many daily activities. This study investigated the role of episodic memory in the recovery of time estimation abilities following moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Method: Using a prospective verbal time estimation paradigm, TBI participants were tested in the early phase of recovery from TBI and then again approximately one year later. Verbal time estimations were made for filled intervals both within (i.e., 10 s, 25 s) and beyond (i.e., 45 s 60 s) the time frame of working memory. Results: At baseline, when compared to controls, the TBI group significantly underestimated time durations at the 25 s, 45 s and 60 s intervals, indicating that the TBI group perceived less time as having passed than actually had passed. At follow-up, despite the presence of continued episodic memory impairment and little recovery in episodic memory performance, the TBI group exhibited estimates of time passage that were similar to controls. Conclusion: The pattern of data was interpreted at suggesting that episodic memory performance did not play a noteworthy role in the recovery of temporal perception in TBI participants.

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Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Neuropsychology - Volume 23, Issue 2

Subject: Neuropsychology - Volume 23, Issue 2

Volume 23, Issue 2

The neural response to facial attractiveness.
Pages 135-143
Chatterjee, Anjan; Thomas, Amy; Smith, Sabrina E.; Aguirre, Geoffrey K.
Remote semantic memory in patients with Korsakoff's syndrome and herpes encephalitis.
Pages 144-157
Kopelman, Michael D.; Bright, Peter; Fulker, Helena; Hinton, Nicola; Morrison, Amy; Verfaellie, Mieke
Correction to Fortier et al. (2008).
Page 157
Fortier, Catherine Brawn; Steffen, Elizabeth M.; LaFleche, Ginette; Venne, Jonathan R.; Disterhoft, John F.; McGlinchey, Regina E.
Free testosterone levels, attentional control, and processing speed performance in aging men.
Pages 158-167
Martin, Donel M.; Burns, Nicholas R.; Wittert, Gary
Time estimation abilities in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.
Pages 178-188
Rueda, Alicia D.; Schmitter-Edgecombe, Maureen
Norms for change in episodic memory as a prerequisite for the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Pages 189-200
Bläsi, Stefan; Zehnder, Antoinette E.; Berres, Manfred; Taylor, Kirsten I.; Spiegel, René; Monsch, Andreas U.
Incentive effects on event-based prospective memory performance in children and adolescents with traumatic brain injury.
Pages 201-209
McCauley, Stephen R.; McDaniel, Mark A.; Pedroza, Claudia; Chapman, Sandra B.; Levin, Harvey S.
A large-scale investigation of lateralization in cortical anatomy and word reading: Are there sex differences?
Pages 210-222
Chiarello, Christine; Welcome, Suzanne E.; Halderman, Laura K.; Towler, Stephen; Julagay, Janelle; Otto, Ronald; Leonard, Christiana M.
Anosognosia for motor impairment following left brain damage.
Pages 223-230
Cocchini, Gianna; Beschin, Nicoletta; Cameron, Annette; Fotopoulou, Aikaterini; Della Sala, Sergio
Comparisons of methods for multiple hypothesis testing in neuropsychological research.
Pages 255-264
Blakesley, Richard E.; Mazumdar, Sati; Dew, Mary Amanda; Houck, Patricia R.; Tang, Gong; Reynolds III, Charles F.; Butters, Meryl A.
Contraction of time in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Pages 265-269
Gilden, David L.; Marusich, Laura R.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Top 10 neuroscience articles from New Scientist

Thanks to MIMD HACKS for tip regarding free online access to these
articles

http://www.mindhacks.com/blog/2008/12/new_scientist_neuros.html


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Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Monday, June 16, 2008

Executive function training - does it transfer?

My recent FYI post regarding reported transfer effects (to Gf) from working memory training tasks generated a number of posted comments (go to link and see original post plus comments). Today Developing Intelligence has a nice critique of another study dealing with potential transfer (or lack thereof) from training on an executive function "updating" task and possible neurological changes based on neuroimaging data.

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Sunday, June 01, 2008

Brain fitness report accolades

More deserved praise for Sharp Brains recent brain fitness software market report. Check link below.

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