computerized cognitive training

Also See: Computerized cognitive training demos

Recent advances in neuroscience have produced several discoveries about the health of active brains. All of them, without exception, enhance the principle of "use it or lose it".

These discoveries have shown:

Active brain cells (neurons) need a better blood supply and get a better blood supply than idle ones. This preferential supply of oxygen and a variety of nutrients enhances their function. Neurons are particularly vulnerable to inadequate oxygen supply, and their activation ensures that they will not starve for oxygen.

As the activity of neurons increases, so does their tendency to sprout dendrites that connect between brain cells. Consequently, the more active a particular brain cell is, the more connections to neighboring cells it develops. It is estimated that a single neuron can have up to thirty thousand such connections, making it a center of a highly developed network of activity. One outcome of belonging to such a network is that the chances of being stimulated by others are also higher, thus increasing the chances of future activation. Neurons that for some reason reduce their activity tend, over time, to lose this connectivity.

The importance of being part of an active network cannot be overstated, and for the brain cells involved, it can easily become a matter of life and death. The reason is that from adolescence onwards, our brains lose a high number of neurons every day. Unconnected cells indicate that they have been idle for quite some time, and thus their loss would not heavily impact the functioning of the individual. Consequently, they become a prime target for cell death. This competitive advantage of active and well connected neurons was beautifully argued by Edelman in his seminal work on "neural Darwinism."

Active neurons enhance the production of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), a substance that contributes to the maintenance of healthy neurons. Since brain cells can often be quite old, their continuous maintenance is of primary importance to their function. Once again, the higher the cognitive challenge, the greater the secretion of this beneficial NGF.

Last but not least, recent research discovered that contrary to accepted common wisdom, there is regeneration of new brain cells throughout the entire life span. Stem cells develop in the part of the brain called the hippocampus (an area closely related to memory consolidation), and migrate inside the brain itself to the area of highest need for "reinforcement" of function. Once they reach that area, they mature and learn from the surrounding cells how to perform their function. This local education of the cells is a particularly striking example of the brain's exquisite specialization. A good example is the process launched after a brain injury or stroke. As the person tries hard to activate the damaged area, this can stimulate higher production of new cells that will eventually migrate to the area of the lesion, and over time contribute towards restoration of the lost function. Once again, the effort to activate the brain during the rehabilitation period is the key to the entire sequence of events. It is doubtful whether a passive acceptance of the loss of function would have similar results.

Higher education, a complex working environment, and mentally challenging hobbies may possibly contribute toward healthier cognitive function. They may very well be responsible for the development of sufficient cognitive reserves that will effectively delay cognitive problems. If available brain cells are in good shape, they may well compensate for cumulative cell loss. In other words, building cognitive reserves is an excellent investment that will ensure cognitive vitality.

What are the main building blocks for such cognitive reserves?

One common denominator in a list of factors is cognitive effort. In other words, for some activity to be useful in maintaining or enhancing cognitive vitality, it has to require some effort. This is not unlike physical exercise whose effectiveness calls for at least some minimal investment in physical effort. By effort, we imply the need to actively focus on the task at hand and allocate sufficient resources of attention to carry it to its successful completion.

Computerized cognitive training

Certain kind of games and hobbies served us well for many generations as tools for sharpening our wits. However, even the best among them, such as chess and bridge, have some very obvious limitations in that moves and bids can become routine. Crossword puzzles exercise, almost exclusively, retrieval from lexicon, and are often repetitious.

Reading books is another good way to exercise cognitive skills, particularly if their proper understanding requires some effort. The more varied the genre, the better. Descriptions of new places and unfamiliar situations further challenge the reader. So does, of course, travel. New sights, sounds, smells, and tastes, are all capable of pulling our cognition from its traditional grooves. Playing a musical instrument and learning a new language are also highly beneficial. So are some sports that, in addition to physical skills, often require highly developed cognitive skills as well. Even though some of these activities might feel difficult when started later in life, their benefit is guaranteed, and it is never too late to engage in them.

In many respects the personal computer, more than anything, provides an ideal tool for exercising the mind.

This is primarily due to its ability to adjust the level of challenge to each person individually. It is very easy to err on this account. Consider, for example, the level of challenge of a crossword puzzle. If it is too difficult, after a few futile attempts we would likely give up. If it is too easy and we feel that there is little or no challenge involved, it will quickly become boring and we will lose interest. It is only when the puzzle is at some optimal level of challenge that it has the capacity to mobilize our attention and cause us to become deeply involved. In the case of the crossword puzzle this is merely a matter of luck, and there is nothing that can be done to effectively optimize the level of challenge for us.

The situation becomes dramatically different when a computer is involved. It can measure the precise time it took us to carry out a particular task, and whether we completed it successfully. On the basis of such information, it can adjust the difficulty of the current task, or select another one best fitting our needs.

The computer's ability to present well designed stimuli in both visual and auditory modes is another important advantage. The storing of detailed information about the users' performance allows important lessons to be learned both online and offline.

Posted November 2006