Summary:
UCLA researchers in the Department of Psychology have developed a simple and fast computerized test to assess cognition (and detect possible cognitive impairment), and a novel game-like method to produce cognitive and memory improvements.
Background:
In the United States, approximately two out of three adults aged 70 and over experience some level of cognitive impairment. There is currently no known rehabilitation or behavioral remedial method for cognitive decline and dementia. Cognitive training approaches consist of simple games and exercises that can improve individuals’ performance in computerized cognitive tasks. However, this approach has failed to deliver meaningful real-world solutions because it has fallen short in two important ways: first—it requires extensive daily practice on the same tasks and there is no clear understanding if the gained improvements last long term. Secondly, if improvement in a task is achieved, the improvements tend to be specific to the practiced task and may not translate to daily life or general cognitive improvements. Current methods of assessment of cognition and cognitive impairment rely on testing complex functions such as executive function, memory, and language.
Innovation:
Prof. Shams and her team have developed a simple behavioral method for assessment of cognition that may allow for early detection of cognitive impairment. This method involves data collected from individuals performing simple computerized tasks (on a laptop or tablet), which is then interpreted using a rigorous mathematical model and state-of-the-art statistical analysis. Based on their findings, a training approach is also devised to enhance cognition and remediate cognitive decline. Because this approach enhances the lowest levels of processing in the brain that feed into a host of cognitive processes, this method can produce memory and cognitive improvements that can generalize to real-life tasks and functions.
Potential Applications:
• Cognitive ability assessment tests
• Dementia and cognitive decline treatment
• Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) treatment
• Memory enhancement
• Cognitive enhancement
Advantages:
• Simple-to-use implementation
• High sensitivity
• Early detection of cognitive impairment
• Can be repeated frequently, allowing for tracking of cognition over time
• Memory and cognitive improvements
Development to Date:
Description of invention completed; initial use of invention demonstrated.
Related Papers:
Odegaard B, Wozny DR, Shams L. 2017. A simple and efficient method to enhance audiovisual binding tendencies. PeerJ 5:e3143 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3143
Carolyn A. Murray, E. Sebastian Lelo de Larrea-Mancera, Arit Glicksohn, Ladan Shams, Aaron R. Seitz, Revealing multisensory benefit with diffusion modeling,
Journal of Mathematical Psychology, Volume 99, 2020, 102449, ISSN 0022-2496, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmp.2020.102449.
Reference:
UCLA Case No. 2023-061
Lead Inventor:
Ladan Shams