Brain fitness training program to enhance cognitive function via remote ultra-mobile computing

This effort is to develop an evidence-based scientific Brain Fitness Training (BFT) program to accelerate brain growth and improve cognitive function. The goal is to create a mobile computing technology that can be used during initial military training or pre-entry training to raise the domain general cognitive skills by US military recruits substantially (one standard deviation) in working memory, fluid intelligence, meta-cognitive ability, attention control, and affect management with a modest training investment (less than 40 hours). The project involves a synergy of neuroscience, cognitive training, molecular biology of neuron growth, brain imaging, and mobile computing. This proposal focuses on the development of the mobile technology for delivery, performance, motivation, and remote management of BFT. The project tests the effectiveness of computer based gaming, competition, and tracking to maintain intense and reliable effort to improve cognitive function. Experiments will examine whether Brain Fitness Training (BFT)using the method of Competitive Adaptive High Intensity Training (CAHIT) can accelerate brain growth and increase ability in both controlled laboratory and mobile computing applications.