Abstract: A computer-implemented method for enhancing cognitive ability of an older participant by requiring the participant to differentiate between rapidly presented visual stimuli. First and second visual sweeps are provided for visual presentation to the participant, e.g., spatial frequency or orientation sweeps. At least two visual sweeps are visually presented to the participant utilizing the first visual sweep, the second visual sweep, or a combination. The participant is required to indicate an order in which the at least two visual sweeps were presented. A determination is made regarding whether the participant indicated the order of the visual sweeps correctly. The visually presenting, requiring, and determining are repeated one or more times in an iterative manner to improve the participant's cognition. The duration of the sweeps may be adjusted based on the correctness/incorrectness of the participant's response according to a maximum likelihood procedure. Assessments may be made during the exercise.

Abstract: Computer-implemented method for enhancing cognitive ability of a participant using multiple object tracking. One or more images are provided and are available for visual presentation to the participant. A plurality of images based on the one or more images are visually presented, including multiple target images and multiple distracter images, where each of the target images is graphically indicated for a first time period, and then each of the images is moved for a second time period during which the graphically indicating is not performed. The participant is then required to select the target images from the plurality of images, and a determination is made regarding the selection's correctness/incorrectness. The visually presenting, requiring, and determining are repeated one or more times in an iterative manner to improve the participant's cognition. The stimulus intensity may be adjusted each iteration based on the participant's response. Assessments may be performed.

Abstract: Computer-implemented method for enhancing the cognitive ability of a participant using face-name associations. A plurality of facial images of people are provided for visual presentation to the participant, each person having a name. A learning phase is performed, including concurrently presenting a first facial image of a person from the plurality of facial images, and the name of the person. A testing phase is then performed, including: presenting a second facial image of the person from the plurality of facial images, displaying a plurality of names, including the name of the person and one or more distracter names, requiring the participant to select the name of the person from the plurality of names, and determining whether the participant selected the name correctly. The learning phase and the testing phase are repeated one or more times in an iterative manner to improve the participant's cognition, e.g., face-name association skills.

Abstract: Computer-implemented method for enhancing cognition of a participant using visual search. A target image and distracter image are provided for visual presentation. Multiple images, including the target image and multiple distracter images based on the distracter image, are temporarily visually presented at respective locations, then removed. The participant selects the target image location from multiple locations in the visual field, and the selection's correctness/incorrectness is determined. The visually presenting, requiring, and determining are repeated to improve the participant's cognition, e.g., efficiency, capacity and effective spatial extent of a participant's visual attention. In a dual attention version, potential target images differing by a specified attribute are provided, one of which is the target image. An indication of the specified attribute is also displayed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for enhancing cognition, e.g., for improving cognitive ability of a participant using visual stimuli. A set (or sets) of visual stimuli is provided for visual presentation to the participant. A visual stimulus from the set is visually presented to the participant. The participant is required to respond to the visual stimulus. A determination is made regarding whether the participant responded correctly. The stimulus intensity of the visual stimuli presented may be adjusted based on the correctness/incorrectness of the participant's response according to a single-stair maximum likelihood (e.g., ZEST) or N-up/M-down procedure. The visually presenting, requiring, and determining are repeated one or more times in an iterative manner to improve the participant's cognition, e.g., ability to process visual information, memory, etc. Assessments may be performed during the repeating according to a dual-stair maximum likelihood (e.g., ZEST) or N-up/M-down procedure.

Abstract: Computer-implemented method for enhancing cognitive ability of a participant using guided eye movements. Multiple graphical elements are provided for visual presentation to the participant, each having a value. A temporal sequence of at least two of the graphical elements are visually presented at a specified stimulus intensity, e.g., duration or presentation time, including displaying the value of each graphical element at a respective position in a visual field for a specified duration, then ceasing to display the value. The participant is required to respond to the displayed values. A determination is made as to whether the participant responded correctly, and the stimulus intensity modified in response, e.g., using a maximum likelihood procedure. The visually presenting, requiring, determining, and modifying are repeated in an iterative manner to improve the participant's cognitive skills. Periodically, assessments of the participant's progress are performed, e.g., using the maximum likelihood procedure.