If you walk through any kind of store, you're bound to find a product that advertises ways to make you smarter. Interest in training brains is increasing, yet many people (including scientists) are skeptical. There are many video games that claim to enhance your IQ and attention skills, but there isn't much scientific proof to these claims. In fact, 70 cognitive researchers signed a statement speaking out against computer-based games that promise better cognitive performance last year (1).
ADHD is the most prevalent childhood psychiatric disorder, as we discussed in class. These children show evidence of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and motor impersistence. These children ultimately show a deficit in directing attention in visual space and that the motor impersistence is a result of incomplete processing. There is no known cure, besides treatment with medication.
These two worlds are about to intertwine as 2 companies, Akili Interactive Labs and Posit Science, are seeking FDA approval for their digital products to treat specific health conditions (including ADHD).
The article discusses Project: EVO, which is being developed by Akili Interactive Labs. The company paid scientists at Duke University School of Medicine and Florida Clinical Research Center to run a four-week study involving 80 children ages eight to 12, 40 of which have ADHD and are not taking medication and 40 which are neurologically typical. Participants played the game for 30 minutes a day for five days a week. The game in particular is an adventure game where players tilt their tablets to steer a raft down a river and tap their screens to catch aliens and other objects while avoiding distractors, where the game gets harder as the players improve.
The players have to manage quick decision-making on top of a continuous motor task. The software is designed to strengthen neural circuits responsible for cognitive functions, such as attention and working memory. Both of these are impaired in people who have ADHD. This type of technology seems to be very useful in helping children manage their attention problems by having them focus on something they enjoy, also aiding in developing their brain circuitry.
The article also discusses the second company, Posit Science, running a study known as ONTRAC (Online Neuroplasticity Training for Remediation of ADHD in Adolescent Children). The study enrolled 31 children with ADHD in New Delhi. Subjects completed three to five half-hour training sessions per week totaling 30 hours within six months. The results were not as good as it was for Akili's game; 10 of 21 ONTRAC study participants completed less than half of the training. The effects of ONTRAC on cognition and behavior had the same effects as Akili's ADHD group, and persisted six months later.
This kind of research is very cool in my opinion. I love video games and their application to different fields of research. Video games have had a lot of controversy with their connection to causing aggression and shootings, but I am one of those people who doesn't believe violent video games cause violent behavior. Using games to benefit others sounds great to me. I believe scientists might be able to measure the effect brain games have on different areas of the brain through fMRI and other technologies.
(1) http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/2-companies-seek-fda-approval-for-brain-games-to-treat-adhd2/
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ReplyDeleteI found this article interesting because so many researches are divided on whether video games are more beneficial than harmful or vice versa. Video games require people shift their attention from one part of the screen to another while also being aware of surroundings. They require focus and quick decision making or you lose. I could also see how this could appeal to kids with ADHD as they don't have time to start focusing on something else. Since "internet use gaming disorder is included in the DSM-5, I also wonder if video games would trigger a greater release of dopamine in children with ADHD as they are likely drawn to the instant rewards of having more stimuli presented and rewarded for attention. I wonder if kids with ADHD would be more likely to get addicted to video games than other kids without ADHD.
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