Unicorn, Hare, or Tortoise? Using Machine Learning to Predict Working Memory Training Performance.

People differ considerably in the extent to which they benefit from working memory (WM) training. Although there is increasing research focusing on individual differences associated with WM training outcomes, we still lack an understanding of which specific individual differences, and in what combination, contribute to inter-individual variations in training trajectories. In the current study, 568 undergraduates completed one of several N-back intervention variants over the course of two weeks.

Investigating the Role of Individual Differences in Adherence to Cognitive Training.

Consistent with research across several domains, intervention adherence is associated with desired outcomes. Our study investigates adherence, defined by participants' commitment to, persistence with, and compliance with an intervention's regimen, as a key mechanism underlying cognitive training effectiveness. We examine this relationship in a large and diverse sample comprising 4,775 adults between the ages of 18 and 93.

Near transfer to an unrelated N-back task mediates the effect of N-back working memory training on matrix reasoning.

The extent to which working memory training improves performance on untrained tasks is highly controversial. Here we address this controversy by testing the hypothesis that far transfer may depend on near transfer using mediation models in three separate randomized controlled trials (RCTs). In all three RCTs, totalling 460 individuals, performance on untrained N-back tasks (near transfer) mediated transfer to Matrix Reasoning (representing far transfer) despite the lack of an intervention effect in RCTs 2 and 3.

Video-Based Remote Administration of Cognitive Assessments and Interventions: a Comparison with In-Lab Administration.

While remote data collection is not a new concept, the quality and psychometric properties of data collected remotely often remain unclear. Most remote data collection is done via online survey tools or web-conferencing applications (i.e.

UCancellation: A new mobile measure of selective attention and concentration.

Measuring selective attention in a speeded task can provide valuable insight into the concentration ability of an individual, and can inform neuropsychological assessment of attention in aging, traumatic brain injury, and in various psychiatric disorders. There are only a few tools to measure selective attention that are freely available, psychometrically validated, and can be used flexibly both for in-person and remote assessment. To address this gap, we developed a self-administrable, mobile-based test called "UCancellation" (University of California Cancellation), which was designed to assess selective attention and concentration and has two stimulus sets: Letters and Pictures.

Multisensory Facilitation of Working Memory Training.

Research suggests that memorization of multisensory stimuli benefits performance compared to memorization of unisensory stimuli; however, little is known about multisensory facilitation in the context of working memory (WM) training and transfer. To investigate this, 240 adults were randomly assigned to an N-back training task that consisted of visual-only stimuli, alternating visual and auditory blocks, or audio-visual (multisensory) stimuli, or to a passive control group. Participants in the active groups completed 13 sessions of N-back training (6.

N-Back Related ERPs Depend on Stimulus Type, Task Structure, Pre-processing, and Lab Factors.

The N-Back, a common working memory (WM) updating task, is increasingly used in basic and applied psychological research. As such, an increasing number of electroencephalogram (EEG) studies have sought to identify the electrophysiological signatures of N-Back task performance. However, , , pre-processing methods, and differences in the laboratory environment, including the EEG recording setup employed, greatly vary across studies, which in turn may introduce inconsistencies in the obtained results.

Application of Machine Learning Models for Tracking Participant Skills in Cognitive Training.

A key need in cognitive training interventions is to personalize task difficulty to each user and to adapt this difficulty to continually apply appropriate challenges as users improve their skill to perform the tasks. Here we examine how Bayesian filtering approaches, such as hidden Markov models and Kalman filters, and deep-learning approaches, such as the long short-term memory (LSTM) model, may be useful methods to estimate user skill level and predict appropriate task challenges. A possible advantage of these models over commonly used adaptive methods, such as staircases or blockwise adjustment methods that are based only upon recent performance, is that Bayesian filtering and deep learning approaches can model the trajectory of user performance across multiple sessions and incorporate data from multiple users to optimize local estimates.

Divergent Research Methods Limit Understanding of Working Memory Training.

Working memory training has been a hot topic over the last decade. Although studies show benefits in trained and untrained tasks as a function of training, there is an ongoing debate on the efficacy of working memory training. There have been numerous meta-analyses put forth to the field, some finding overall broad transfer effects while others do not.

Validation of a matrix reasoning task for mobile devices.

Many cognitive tasks have been adapted for tablet-based testing, but tests to assess nonverbal reasoning ability, as measured by matrix-type problems that are suited to repeated testing, have yet to be adapted for and validated on mobile platforms. Drawing on previous research, we developed the University of California Matrix Reasoning Task (UCMRT)-a short, user-friendly measure of abstract problem solving with three alternate forms that works on tablets and other mobile devices and that is targeted at a high-ability population frequently used in the literature (i.e.

rTMS evidence for a dissociation in short-term memory for spoken words and nonwords.

Differing patterns of verbal short-term memory (STM) impairment have provided unique insights into the relationship between STM and broader language function. Lexicality effects (i.e.

The Effects of Theta and Gamma tACS on Working Memory and Electrophysiology.

A single blind sham-controlled study was conducted to explore the effects of theta and gamma transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on offline performance on working memory tasks. In order to systematically investigate how specific parameters of tACS affect working memory, we manipulated the frequency of stimulation (theta frequency vs. gamma frequency), the type of task (n-back vs.

Making Brains run Faster: are they Becoming Smarter?

A brief overview of structural and functional brain characteristics related to g is presented in the light of major neurobiological theories of intelligence: Neural Efficiency, P-FIT and Multiple-Demand system. These theories provide a framework to discuss the main objective of the paper: what is the relationship between individual alpha frequency (IAF) and g? Three studies were conducted in order to investigate this relationship: two correlational studies and a third study in which we experimentally induced changes in IAF by means of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS). (1) In a large scale study (n = 417), no significant correlations between IAF and IQ were observed.

EEG alpha frequency correlates of burnout and depression: The role of gender.

EEG alpha frequency band biomarkers of depression are widely explored. Due to their trait-like features, they may help distinguish between depressive and burnout symptomatology, which is often referred to as "work-related depression". The present correlational study strived to examine whether individual alpha frequency (IAF), power, and coherence in the alpha band can provide evidence for establishing burnout as a separate diagnostic entity.

The effects of theta transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on fluid intelligence.

The objective of the study was to explore the influence of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on resting brain activity and on measures of fluid intelligence. Theta tACS was applied to the left parietal and left frontal brain areas of healthy participants after which resting electroencephalogram (EEG) data was recorded. Following sham/active stimulation, the participants solved two tests of fluid intelligence while their EEG was recorded.

The influence of theta transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on working memory storage and processing functions.

The study aimed to explore the role of the fronto-parietal brain network in working memory function--in temporary storage and manipulation of information. In a single blind sham controlled experiment 36 respondents solved different working memory tasks after theta transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) was applied to left frontal, left parietal and right parietal areas. Both verum tACS protocols stimulating parietal brain areas (target electrodes positioned at location P3, or P4) had a positive effect on WM storage capacity as compared with sham tACS, whereas no such influence was observed for the stimulation of the left frontal area (target electrode positioned at location F3).