Upcoming: Grand Rounds Blog Carnival and Brain Fitness Q&A

Just a quick note to announce that next Tuesday, November 15th, SharpBrains.com will be hosting two great resources:

1– Grand Rounds Blog Carnival: the weekly collection of what's best in the health and medical blogosphere (see great latest edition Here). If you want to contribute your own blog post, please do so via this Contact Us form.
2– Live Q&A Session with Alvaro Fernandez, coauthor of The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness (recently selected as one of the Best Books on Brain Fitness by AARP). Session will take place at 11am Pacific Time/ 2pm Eastern Time, and will be moderated by Harry Moody, Director of Academic Affairs at AARP. To learn more click Here.

Please make sure to visit us Tuesday!

http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2011/11/11/upcoming-grand-rounds-blog-carnival-and-brain-fitness-qa/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=upcoming-grand-rounds-blog-carnival-and-brain-fitness-qa

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Kevin McGrew, PhD

Educational Psychologist

The brain clock (mental timing) and clinical disorders

The human brain clock is intimately involved in wide array of human cognitive and motor behaviors.  At this blog a number of clincal disorders have been associated with some degree of disturbance or damage to brain mechanisms related to mental timing.  This informaiton is scattered across a variety of posts.  I decided to pull it all together (as of today's date) in this post.

Mental timing (brain clock) has been implicated via research reported at this blog in:

ADHD and attention

Autismhttp://www.brainclock.net/search/label/autism

Various speech and language disorders

• Aphasia
• Apraxia
• Speech and language

Tourette's syndrome

Cerbral palsy

Central auditory processing disorders (CAPD)

Reading disabilities/dyslexia (click here, here and here)

Various dopaminegeric-based disorders

• Huntington's 
• Schizophrenia
• Parkinson's

Gate disorders

Stroke related dysfunction

A more detailed reference list of timing-related dysfunctions/disorder (e.g., aging related disorders--Alzheimer's, dementia; ADHD, motor coordination/timing disorders--gait, stroke,swallowing;  speech and language disorders--aphasia/stroke/apraxia/speech; TBI) can be found in special white paper regarding the efficacy of various rhythm-based interventions.

Domain-general v domain-specific mechanisms in intelligence and learning

I have often referred to the human brain clock as representing a domain-general cognitive mechanism, in contrast to a domain-specific mechanism.  I recently found an excellent article that describes the fundamental difference between "jack-of-all-trade" (domain-general) and compartmentalized or modular (domain-specific) brain-based cognitive mechanisms, placed within the context of evoultionary psychology.  Both classess of mechanisms are important for human cognition and learning.  For those who really want to understand this distinction, I would recommend the 2005 article "The evolution of domain-general mechnaisms in intelligence and learning" (Journal of General Psychology (by Chiappe & McDonald).

USA TODAY: Brain experts weigh in on Perry's brain freeze incident during GOP debate

Real world incident that gives some insights into working memory and the frontal lobes

Check out this article that I saw in USA TODAY's iPad application.

Brain experts weigh in on Perry's brain freeze incident
http://usat.ly/tUrTME

To view the story, click the link or paste it into your browser.

To learn more about USA TODAY for iPad and download, visit: http://usatoday.com/ipad/

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Kevin McGrew, PhD
Educational Psychologist

TED Talk looks at the purpose of the brain - Scope - medical blog - Stanford University School of Medicine

http://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2011/11/ted-talk-looks-at-the-purpose-of-the-brain/

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Kevin McGrew, PhD

Educational Psychologist

PEBS Neuroethics Roundup (JHU)

Last Edition's Most Popular Article: On the consequences of personhood, Neuroethics at the Core In The Popular Press: Study Finds Signs of Awareness in 3 'Vegetative' Patients, New York Times Discovering Consciousness in the 'Permanently Unconscious': What Should We Do?...

http://kolber.typepad.com/ethics_law_blog/2011/11/pebs-neuroethics-roundup-jhu.html

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Kevin McGrew, PhD

Educational Psychologist

Book nook: review of another ADHD book focused on children

http://psycnet.apa.org/index.cfm?fa=main.doiLanding&uid=2011-19803-001

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Kevin McGrew, PhD
Educational Psychologist

Dr. Susan Gathercole explains working memory

Susan Gathercole is a cognitive psychologist at the University of York and has been involved with research about memory for over 25 years. ©2011 Cogmed Working Memory Training. All Rights Reserved..

http://www.cogmed.com/dr-susan-gathercole-explains-working-memory

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Kevin McGrew, PhD

Educational Psychologist

Brain Clock Brain Fitness blogroll updated

Today the Brain Clock blog updated its blogroll.  It now includes the majority of the major brain fitness/training programs.  Check out the Brain Clock Blogroll

Blogging status: BlogPress on the fritz and IAP's blogs going pro

Regular readers may have noticed a significant decrease in blog posts the past few weeks.  Why? 

I had moved all my blogging to my iPad as I have found it a much more efficient method for posting.  However, a few weeks ago Apple released its new IOS5.0 operating system.  After updating my iPad, my BlogPress app would crash.  I visited the developers web page and they had a note indicating they were aware of the crash and had submitted a fix to Apple for review.  I have been checking daily for the app upate, but it is not showing up.  So, please be patient.  I may go "old school" and do some blogging from my PC.

Also, I am just starting work with a professional web development company to integrate my IAP web page and professional blogs into a single professional looking (andmore efficient) web portal..  I will be spending significant time working with the developer on this new internet portal and migration of materials to the new server.  I have no idea how long this will take.

In the end the work will be worth it......so be patient.  I will do what I can to get back "up" and blogging with more regularity.  As soon as BlogPress gets the new app, you should see an uptick in posts. 

Thanks for your patience

Neorofeedback aids Parkinson's @TheBrainScience, 11/8/11 4:36 PM

Brain Science (@TheBrainScience) 11/8/11 4:36 PM Study finds brain retraining can improve Parkinson's symptoms sns.mx/YdeAy0

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Kevin McGrew, PhD

Educational Psychologist

The Brain Clock: Comming out of the neurotech closet

[Note.  This post was originally written to be distributed to a number of professional listservs.  I then decided against that idea, and instead, produce it here as a blog post.  I will be sending brief FYI (with links to this post) to a number of professional listservs.  So, it sounds like a listserv post...which it originally was...but it is now a blog post.]

Anyone who has followed my blogs knows that during the past 5 years, aside from my IQ's Corner blog, I have nurtured a sister blog addressing mental timing research (the Brain Clock blog..previously nicknamed the IQ Brain Clock). 

My interest in the brain clock, and other brain training/fitness technology, piqued as a result of my involvement (very skeptical at first) in a study directed by Gordon Taub in 2004.  Taub, myself, and one of the best stat/methodologists in school psychology (Dr. Tim Keith) published an article in Psychology in the Schools (Taub, McGrew & Keith, 2007) that reported that Interactive Metronome (IM) training resulted in significant increases in the fluency of basic reading skills when compared to control group subjects (randomly assigned treatment and control groups).  The results floored me...as I had become a huge skeptic of non-academic interventions for academics...as I had many scars from the early LD "process remediation" treatment days of Frostig, ITPA psycholinguistic training, Doman-Delacato motor pattern retraining, etc.).  I thus set out on a 5 year mission to explore the brain clock/mental timing research literature, which I have posted portions of at the Brain Clock blog.  I needed to now why such an elegant neurotechnology could have positive impacts on such diverse domains as ADHD, golf, tennis, reading, and stroke rehab.  It had to be working on some kind of cognitive domain-general mechanism.

I have become convinced that this apparently simple (it is not so simple if you give it a try...it places huge demands on attentional control and executive functions) neurotechnology may be (my working hypotheses) fine tuning the resolution of the underlying human brain clock (or system of clocks), and might be increasing the resolution of neural oscillations as per Jensen's neural efficiency hypothesis.  The brain clock literature has huge overlaps with the contemporary g and executive functions literature, and especially exciting research by Rammsayer et al regarding "temporal g" (which appears more highly correlated with psychometric g than Jensen's reaction time g).  These parallel sets of research all focus on similar neuro constructs and brain networks (the central executive network and the salience/attentional networks...as per recent research on large scale brain networks....the other being the default mode network; see Bressler and Menon, 2010; Large-scale brain networks in cognition: Emerging methods and principles, Trends in Cognitive Science, Vol 14, Issue 6, pp 277-290).

I won't go into greater detail.  I am going to provide the detail via a series of blog posts at the IM Home web site ---  via the blog feature.  My blog posts will be written for the lay audience, and will contain links back to my Brain Clock blog for the harder science.  My first post is now up and availale (click here)


CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE - I am not an employee of IM but serve as a paid external consultant.  Also, any statements or positions I make do not reflect the views of the coauthors of the WJ III Battery, a battery of cognitive and achievement tests where I am a co-author.  This disclaimer also applies to Riverside Publishing, the publisher of the WJ III.


Thank you for reading

Kevin McGrew
Educational Psychologist
Director, Institute for Applied Psychometrics.

"Is There a Need for Clinical Neuroskepticism?" - Neuroethics & Law Blog

http://kolber.typepad.com/ethics_law_blog/2011/11/is-there-a-need-for-clinical-neuroskepticism.html

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Kevin McGrew, PhD

Educational Psychologist

Brain Myths@TheBrainScience, 11/7/11 7:04 PM

Brain Science (@TheBrainScience) 11/7/11 7:04 PM Myths about our minds sns.mx/Yse9y4

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Kevin McGrew, PhD

Educational Psychologist

Shutting down the default mode brain network to focus@BrainCosmos, 11/4/11 2:33 AM

Brain (@BrainCosmos) 11/4/11 2:33 AM When our neurons remain silent so that our performances may improve bit.ly/sbxINV

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Kevin McGrew, PhD

Educational Psychologist

The rich brain hub clubs@RogerHighfield, 11/3/11 2:48 AM

Roger Highfield (@RogerHighfield) 11/3/11 2:48 AM The hubs that rule your brain newscientist.com/article/dn2111…

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Kevin McGrew, PhD

Educational Psychologist

"Cognitive Enhancement, Virtue Ethics and the Good Life"

Cognitive Enhancement, Virtue Ethics and the Good Life by Barbro Elisabeth Esmeralda Fröding has been published in the most recent issue of Neuroethics: Abstract This article explores the respective roles that medical and technological cognitive enhancements, on the one hand,...

http://kolber.typepad.com/ethics_law_blog/2011/11/cognitive-enhancement-virtue-ethics-and-the-good-life.html

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Educational Psychologist

Interactive Metronome: Drug-free ADHD Treatment?

As discussed in many posts at this blog, I have hypothesized the synchronized metronome training via new neurotechnologies may improve controlled executive attention and working memory.  Here is an n=1 case study. Please see my conflict of interest disclosure statement on the blog sidebar.

	Drug-free ADHD Treatment www.imhome.org | IM-Home is used to help children who suffer from ADHD. After using IM-Home, children tend to see grades improve, longer attention span, and increased socialization with their peers. In addition, IM-Home can improve motor coordination, concentration, and timing, which is essential for sports performance.	From: IMetronome Views: 25 0 ratings
	Time: 03:25	More in Science & Technology

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgzZnDuX8iU&feature=youtube_gdata

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Kevin McGrew, PhD

Educational Psychologist

WHO ICF system of disability classification

Not to many practicing assessment professionals are familiar with the World Health Organizations International Health Classification system, a system with some good concepts related to disability Dx and disability functional issues. The following article presents a nice overcview (double click on images to enlarge)





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Metronome-based training improves reading: #1 at IQ Brain Clock Blog

I was curious what the most frequently visited post was at my IQ Brain Clock blog was. The winner is.....drum roll.....Metronome-based training improves reading.

Double click on image to enlarge.


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psychology neuropsychology neuroscience brain brain fitness mental time-keeping IQ Brain Clock brain clock brain rhythm Interactive Metronome temporal processing temporal g neurotechnology brain gyms brain games brain synchronization reading dyslexia

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American Behavioral Scientist study suggests Twitter can foster sense of personal communities

This is a bit off-topic for my blogs, but I am a user of various social media, primarily for professional purposes. But, others use social media like Twitter to form personal social networks....and now, one study suggests it can help provide a form of sense of a personal community. Double click on images to enlarge







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Twitter tweeps on-line communities virtual communities personal communities

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Personal Recommended Reading: The Fifth Agreement - Toltec Wisdom

I read this simple book a while back and return to it frequently when I find the need for a little personal perspective on things. The five agreements make eminent sense for a more real and sane approach to living. Although not written from research in cognitive psychology, one can relate the five agreements to some solid research on cognitive thinking and cognitive restructuring of thoughts. I have now made a "five agreements" cheat sheet that is the wallpaper on my iPad screen---so I am reminded of the five concepts constantly. I am skimming the book again.



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Dissertation Dish: Can pitch or rhythm (Ga-auditory processing) training improve phonological awareness (Ga)

The effectiveness of Separate Pitch and Rhythm Training Interventions on the Phonological Awareness of Kindergarten Learners by Richards, Susannah Converse, Ed.D., Northcentral University, 2011 , 171 pages; AAT 3472255

Abstract

Although neuroscientists assert that music training impacts neural development, previous research has not teased apart which components of music possibly enhance language literacy in emergent readers. The purpose of this quantitative research study was to establish if immersion in pitch activities as compared with rhythm activities could cause the significant development of initial sound (IS) skills, letter sounds (LS) skills, and sound pattern skills in kindergarten readers. This study examined the effectiveness of supplemental music instruction on the phonological awareness skills of kindergarten learners ( N = 38) who originated from seven classrooms in one suburban elementary school. Leveled subjects randomly were assigned to an experimental pitch group ( n = 12), or an experimental rhythm group ( n = 11), or a control group ( n = 15). During sixteen 40-minute sessions that spanned eight weeks, pitch group subjects explored the highness and lowness of sound, while rhythm group subjects investigated the duration of sound. The control group engaged in 20-minute weekly read-aloud sessions. Pre- and post-test data collection consisted of the kindergarten version of the Test of Phonological Awareness - Second Edition: Plus , and the sound patterns music subtest of the Woodcock Johnson III . Data was converted to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for analysis. Separate 3 x 3 factorial Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed the levels differed on each of the IS variables (pitch [ F =7.74; df = 3], rhythm [ F = .07; df = 3], control [ F = .18; df = 2]); and the LS variables (low pitch [ F = 1.0; df = 3], low rhythm [ F = 6.62; df = 3], low control [ F = 4.0; df = 2]). Significance was observed with a matched-pairs t -test with the low pitch treatment group ( t [3] = 0.034, p < 0.04). Future research should recruit a larger sample and utilize a different music assessment. This study provides insight into a real-world application relative to specific components of music that potentially enhance the phonological awareness of the most challenged of kindergarten readers before remediation is necessary.



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Mad Box reaction time app: Possible brain fitness tool?

An interesting reaction time app for the iPhone/iPad. It has the appearance of a possible brain fitness tool......would be nice someone would do some research on this to see if it does improve any aspects of cognitive functioning

Double click on image to enlarge. Visit link about to visit developers website




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The IQ Brain Clock: More research linking mental timing and intelligence

The link between mental time-keeping and intelligence continues to emerge in research across a variety of disciplines. Here is another new study. This study is posted via the IQs Reading blog feature---see article for comments and links to additional research

Tic toc...........

Double click on image to enlarge


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mental timing IQ Brain Clock brain clock temporal processing metronome mental time-keeping brain timing educational psychology school psychology special education educational neuroscience neuropsychology neuroscience neurology brain rhythm rhythm processing rhythm perception intelligence cognitive abilities working memory attention executive attention multi-sensory feedback rhythm production

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Human functioning covers at least 10 levels of " timing"--but the most critical is at the milli- and micro-second level

Human temporal processing covers approximately 10 levels of magnitude, but it is the finest levels of mental timing where "the action is" in terms of cognitive and motor learning and performance---the focus of this blog. I love this big picture figure.

Double click on images to enlarge





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IM-HOME launched: Interactive Metronome-Home mental-timing based intervention

Today Interactive Metronome, a brain clock (mental time-keeping) based neurotech intervention, launched a new "home" product web page called IM-HOME. Click here to visit.

(Double click on image to enlarge)


As most readers of this blog know, IM is the reason I started the IQ Brain Clock blog. I have disclosed my conflict of interest (on the IM Scientific Advisory board) in most all of my prior IM-related posts.

I will add the IM-Home Blog feed to the "IQ Brain Clock & Rhythm "Times" e-paper once they get an RSS feed for the blog

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The four models of the IQ Brain Clock (mental time-keeping)

There are four four primary models advanced to explain mental time-keeping. I was reminded of this when I revisited a prior post that summarized an excellent article published in Trends in Cognitive Sciences. Click here to review this post.


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Brain rhythm efficacy research: Can we fine-tune our brain?

It was recently brought to my attention that the link to a previously posted report I produced with Amy Vega (from Interactive Metronome) was dead. Earthlink (my server host) had informed me I was over quota...so I started some mass file deletion. This report was a victim of the purge. As I skimmed the report I realized that it is still a nice synthesis of the efficacy of a general class of research on brain rhythm training interventions. Below was our general conclusion. I would recommend that people who have not read the report revisit that post (with the fixed link) to understand why I continue to be intrigued by brain timing research and the potential for brain timing based interventions.

General conclusion:

...given the converging research that points toward a possible neurologically-based domain-general internal mental-timing mechanism (i.e., a potentially modifiable internal brain clock), it is possible that the efficacy of all four classes of rhythm-based treatments are operating (in their own way) on “fine tuning the temporal resolution of the human brain clock.” Our temporal resolution fine-tuning hypothesis is consistent with the temporal resolution power (TRP) hypothesis (Rammsayer & Brandler, 2002, 2007) that indicates that oscillatory brain process are responsible for the efficiency and speed of neural-based information processing. We hypothesize, via the temporal resolution fine-tuning hypothesis, that the positive outcomes for rhythm perception and production based treatments may be due to these treatments increasing the efficiency and speed of information processing in brain-based neural networks responsible for the planning, execution and synchronization of complex human behaviors.

We urge both academic and applied researchers to embrace the temporal processing (mental timing) theory--diagnostic/classification--treatment literature reviewed in this report and increase efforts to understand the links between the three legs of the mental timing stool. The positive effects of current “brain rhythm” treatment programs for many types of disorders, across a variety of human performance domains, is encouraging, particularly when placed in the context of the emerging science and theory of the human brain clock.

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mental timing IQ Brain Clock brain clock temporal processing metronome mental time-keeping brain timing educational psychology school psychology special education educational neuroscience neuropsychology neuroscience neurology brain rhythm rhythm processing rhythm perception intelligence cognitive abilities working memory attention executive attention multi-sensory feedback rhythm production

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Test post--ignore

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