September 2018
in
Journal of the Amercian Academy of Optometry
To evaluate the potential for sports vision training to improve objective and subjective visuomotor function in a low vision patient.
A 37-year-old woman with Usher syndrome underwent a 14-week sports vision training program with pre-post cognitive assessments.
The patient was able to improve the use of remaining visual abilities. A 27 to 31% improvement in hand-eye coordination was achieved along with a 41% improvement NeuroTracker performance. The patient also subjectively reported clear improvements in visual abilities. The researcher concluded sports vision training may reduce the impact of the reduced visual function and aid in activities of daily living.
NeuroTracker 3D-MOT training was associated with improvements in balance and attentional control, with additional changes observed in dual-task gait and visual-perceptual measures.
To examine whether a visual–spatial attention training intervention using 3D multiple object tracking (3D-MOT) influences motor performance and subsystem measures relevant to occupational performance.
Three pre-test/post-test studies were conducted:
In healthy adults, the intervention groups demonstrated greater improvements in balance performance (SEBT) compared to controls, along with within-group improvements in attentional measures (Stroop). Dual-task gait parameters showed measurable changes following training, though functional improvements were less clearly defined than balance outcomes.
In the single-subject case study, clinically meaningful improvements were observed in visual-perceptual skills, balance subtests, and selected attentional measures, with additional non-clinically significant changes in gait and convergence.
The findings suggest that training visual–spatial attention through 3D-MOT may influence balance and attentional subsystems that contribute to occupational performance, with preliminary evidence of broader functional effects.
Dark sweet cherry supplementation improved working memory in obese adults but did not enhance NeuroTracker-measured visual cognitive performance beyond practice-related gains.
To evaluate whether 30 days of dark sweet cherry (DSC) consumption improves executive function, NeuroTracker 3D-MOT performance, neuropeptide levels, and circadian rhythm biomarkers in adults with obesity.
Method
• Single-blind randomized controlled trial
• 40 adults with BMI 30–40 kg/m²
• DSC drink (200 mL twice daily) vs isocaloric placebo for 30 days
• Executive function assessed using TMT, Digit Span (forward/backward), and DSST
• Visual Cognitive Performance (VCP) assessed via 15 NeuroTracker CORE sessions
• Blood biomarkers: neurotensin, substance P, oxytocin, cortisol, melatonin
NeuroTracker performance was evaluated using speed threshold changes across baseline (sessions 1–3) and final (sessions 13–15) blocks.
Executive Function
• Significant improvements in Digit Span Forward (p = 0.006) and Backward (p = 0.01) in the DSC group
• No between-group differences in TMT or DSST
• Benefits were more pronounced in females and higher BMI subgroup
NeuroTracker (VCP)
• Both cherry and placebo groups improved significantly over 15 sessions (practice effect)
• No significant between-group differences
• Mean change (Δ) VCP: Cherry 0.26 vs Placebo 0.25 (p = 0.94)
Biomarkers
• Neurotensin increased significantly in placebo group only
• Melatonin increased significantly in placebo group only
• No significant treatment effects on cortisol or oxytocin
NeuroTracker meets gold standard criteria as a cognitive enhancement tool, corroborated with positive pre-post changes in qEEG measures.
To examine the practical efficacy of cognitive enhancement interventions through a gold-standard template for assessing use of such tools, and to assess NeuroTracker evidence against the template for enhancing attention, working memory and visual information processing speed.
To assess cognitive tools and NeuroTracker specifically against the following gold-standard criteria and with qEEG findings on changes in neuroelectric brain activity: 1. Robust transfer effects, 2. No Side Effects or Risk of Toxicity, 3. Minimal time and monetary investment, 4) Lasting effects, 5) No ethical issues, 6) Can be used in combination with other interventions, 7) Can be applied to any population.
3-hours of training over 5-weeks with NeuroTracker demonstrated robust effects on attention, working memory, and visual information processing speed as measured by neuropsychological tests. Corresponding changes measured by qEEG were also corroborated these intervention effects. NeuroTracker was concluded to meet the gold standard criteria in points 1, 2, 3, and 5, with some evidence to support the other points, but further research needed.
NeuroTracker baselines more sensitively detect effects on cognition than other cognitive assessments after open heart surgery.
To examine whether cognitive baselines can be used to detect changes in cognitive function in open-heart surgery patients.
16 open-heart surgery patients (av. 60 years) completed NeuroTracker, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and Trails B assessments at 3 time points: 1 to 2 days pre-surgery, at discharge or 1-week post-surgery, and at 12-weeks post-surgery.
No significant differences were detected between baseline and 1-week/discharge measurements on all measures. Patients improved significantly from 1-week/discharge to 12-weeks in NeuroTracker baseline scores. A similar but non-significant trend was found on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. The researchers concluded that post-surgical cognitive changes in heart surgery patients were detectable using NeuroTracker, and that future research should explore whether it is usable for the retraining of cognition after heart surgery.
A variety of egg-based diets over 1-month improve performance on NeuroTracker compared to a no-egg diet.
To evaluate the impact of the nutritional impact of dietary intake of whole eggs, egg white, and egg yolk on visual cognitive performance (NeuroTracker) in healthy older adults.
99 healthy men and women aged 50 to 75 years were randomly assigned to one of five groups with different daily consumption of eggs alongside a record of their usual dietary intake. Over 1-month period participants either consumed four egg whites, two whole regular eggs, two whole omega-3-fortified eggs, four egg yolks, or no eggs (control). During the final 2 weeks of the study all participants completed 15 NeuroTracker.
On average male participants performed significantly better at NeuroTracker than females. All participants on egg-based diets performed significantly better across 2-weeks of NeuroTracker training than the no-egg controls. Findings suggest that whole eggs, egg whites and egg yolks are beneficial for visual cognitive performance in healthy older adults.
Individual with Autism can perform NeuroTracker at different cognitive loads and benefit from feedback at low difficulty levels.
To investigate the cognitive characteristics of individuals with with Autism compared to neurotypical individuals in response to different NeuroTracker loads and feedback.
27 adolescents and adults with Autism and 28 neurotypical adolescents and adults ASD were tasked with performing NeuroTracker at low load (1-target tracking) and high load (4-target tracking) across two sessions of training. Half of the participants received feedback on each trial, and half did not.
Although participants with Autism scored lower than neurotypicals, high load sessions were tolerated equally in comparison to low load sessions. Feedback improved NeuroTracker performance overall, except for participants with Autism on the high load sessions. Participants with Autism receiving feedback scored better than neurotypical participants without feedback, but only on the low load sessions. The results suggest that individuals with Autism can perform NeuroTracker at different loads, and that feedback aids performance at low difficulty levels.
NeuroTracker is one of the most widely researched cognitive training systems, used in elite sports, military, and human performance settings worldwide. Built on 20 years of neuroscience research.
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