Joseph DeGutis, Ph.D - US grants

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The primary objective of this Phase I application is to develop and deploy a novel, neuroplasticity- based, computerized training program that has been shown to drive positive changes in attention, working memory and executive function in a vulnerable aging population. The training approach is based on the scientific principles of brain plasticity, implemented successfully in the past with measurable improvements in cognitive function following intensive training in the elderly (1,26,47). The current approach is fundamentally novel in that it addresses the attentional state of the individual, promoting an optimal level of alertness that can then be applied to higher- order, cognitive abilities. Our data suggests that this approach may enable greater benefits from cognitive training and further generalization to untrained, resource demanding attention, working memory and executive tasks. Given the ease of access to the training regimen and its scalability (web deliverable), this form of therapy could benefit several million individuals, 65-years of age and older whose lives are limited by progressive, age-related cognitive and physical decline. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: This project represents the translation of an effective attention training therapy, originally conceived within the academic research sector, to the marketplace via collaboration between the original developers and Brain Plasticity, Inc. This application aims to develop and behaviorally evaluate the benefits of a novel, neuroplasticity-based, computerized and web-deliverable training program suite that has been shown to drive substantial improvements in cognition. These outcomes are widely applicable to the cognitive health and life-quality of several million elderly Americans, and have further potential to offset degenerative processes common to normal aging.

? DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long-term goal of this proposal is to develop an effective treatment for developmental prosopagnosia and to understand the mechanisms of treatment-related improvements. This is relevant to the National Eye Institute's mission to better treat visual disorders and understand mechanisms of visual function. The particular goal of this proposal is to build on our previous successes at improving face processing in developmental prosopagnosics (DPs) using cognitive training targeting holistic face processing. Our specific aims for this proposal are to: 1) Determine whether an improved, longer version of the holistic face training program is more effective at improving face processing and daily functioning in developmental prosopagnosics (DPs) than active control training; 2) To use functional MRI to characterize how core and extended face processing regions change after holistic face training compared to active control training; and 3) To characterize how event-related potential (ERP) signatures of face processing change after holistic face training compared to active control training. As an exploratory aim, we also seek to determine if face-selective white matter tracts in ventral occipito-temporal regions change after holistic face training compared to active control training. To achieve these aims, we propose to run a triple-blind (assessor, participant, and data analysis is blind to treatment), randomized longitudinal treatment study with 50 DPs. We propose to have 25 DPs complete 6 weeks of holistic face training and 25 complete 6 weeks of a matched active control training that uses the same faces. After screening, DPs will perform baseline cognitive and functional assessments as well as MRI scans (including fMRI and DTI) and ERP recording. Next, DPs will be randomized to either holistic face training or active control training and will train on a laptop computer at home or in the laboratory for 30 sessions (36 mins/session) over 6 weeks. During this time, a cognitive training coach will closely monitor their progress. Within one week of intervention completion, DPs will repeat the behavioral assessments, MRI scans, and ERP recording. To measure the longevity of training effects, DPs will also repeat all assessments after a 6-week no-contact period.

The goal of this proposal is to better characterize face recognition deficits in developmental prosopagnosia (DP) and to further develop effective treatments. This is relevant to the National Eye Institute's mission to better treat visual disorders and understand mechanisms of visual function. The particular goals of this proposal are to better characterize face recollection deficits in DPs and to build upon our previous successes at improving perceptual processing in DPs by incorporating repetition lag training, which targets enhanced face encoding and improved recognition. We hypothesize that this combination training could allow improved perceptual processing to better translate to improved face recognition and reduced symptoms of prosopagnosia. Our aims for this proposal are to: 1) To examine the contribution of recollection and familiarity to face recognition in DPs compared to controls; 2) To determine the effectiveness of combining our validated perceptual training + repetition lag training vs. test-retest control; and 3) To compare the effectiveness of perceptual training + repetition lag training to perceptual training only. To achieve these aims, we propose to perform an in-lab study of 25 DPs and 50 matched controls, where we will use a process dissociation procedure task to measure how recollection and familiarity support old/new face recognition in DPs and controls. We also propose to perform a longitudinal web-based cognitive training study with 60 DPs randomly assigned to three different arms: either 6 weeks of perceptual training, 4 weeks of perceptual training + 2 weeks of repetition lag training, or test-retest waitlist control. Before and after training/waiting, we will assess DPs on a validated online battery of face perception and recognition tests as well as self- reported face recognition. To measure the longevity of potential training effects, DPs performing training will also repeat assessments after a 6-week no-contact period.