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Posit Science

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Posit Science, a venture capital-funded company based in San Francisco, California, develops software-based brain training programs designed to improve cognitive performance in adults. The company is part of the rapidly growing brain fitness industry.

History

Posit Science was co-founded in 2003 by Michael Merzenich, a well-known professor of neuroscience at the University of California at San Francisco, and Jeffrey Zimman. At that time, the company was known as Neuroscience Solutions Corporation.

In 2004, the company announced its first pilot program—the Brain Fitness Program—designed to improve auditory and speech processing. The Brain Fitness Program began to sell to partner organizations and individual customers in 2005. Since then, the software has been examined in several studies, including the large-scale IMPACT study conducted with Mayo Clinic and the University of Southern California.^[1]

In 2008, Posit Science acquired Visual Awareness, Inc., developer of Dr. Karlene Ball’s useful field of view (UFOV) assessment and training technology. This technology was incorporated into a new brain fitness product, InSight™, for visual processing and memory. The UFOV technology has been investigated in multiple published studies, many funded by the National Institutes of Health.^[2]

In 2009, Posit Science launched DriveSharp, an entry-point product designed to improve driving safety by speeding up visual processing. DriveSharp is built on the same UFOV technology as InSight. The AAA Foundation has partnered with Posit Science to recommend DriveSharp to over 20 million AAA club members.^[3]

Posit Science is the third company to come out of research from the laboratory of Dr. Michael Merzenich. Prior companies include Advanced Bionics (the makers of the cochlear implant) and Scientific Learning Corporation.

Products

Posit Science’s current software programs are designed to improve cognitive performance in healthy aging adults. These include:

• The Posit Science® Brain Fitness Program™— six computer exercises for auditory processing and memory
• InSight™—five computer exercises for visual processing and memory
• DriveSharp™—two computer exercises for visual processing and reaction speed to improve driving safety

All of Posit Science’s products are available for individual purchase on the company’s website. Their programs are also distributed through insurance partners, PBS television stations, affiliated residential communities, and a small number of retail stores.

Scientific Principles and Validation

The foundational scientific concept behind Posit Science products is neuroplasticity. Their software programs are designed to engage the brain’s natural plasticity to speed up its ability to process sensory input and to improve information recording (memory).

Posit Science’s programs are likely the most-studied brain fitness programs available on the market today. Dozens of published studies have examined their technologies. These have shown that using Posit Science training programs drives statistically significant improvements in:

• Memory^[1]
• Speed of auditory processing^[1]
• Size of useful field of view (up to 300%)^[4]
• Driving safety^[5]
• Performance of timed instrumental activities of daily living, such as counting change or taking medication^[6]
• Maintenance of independence^[7]

They have also shown lower rates of:

• Depressive symptoms^[8]
• At-fault automobile accidents (51% reduction) ^[9]
• Decline in health-related quality of life^[10]
• Driving cessation^[11]

The effects of Posit Science programs have not been fully studied in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.

Future

In late 2009, Posit Science plans to launch the Brain Plasticity Institute for continuing investigation into plasticity-based training for a variety of clinical indications, including schizophrenia and traumatic brain injury.

Links to Posit Science

Posit Science website

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b c} Smith, G.E. et al. A cognitive training program based on principles of brain plasticity: Results from the Improvement in Memory with Plasticity-based Adaptive Cognitive Training (IMPACT) study. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 57(4), 594-603 (2009).
2. ^ To name just a few: Ball, K. et al. Effects of cognitive training interventions with older adults: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association 288, 2271-81 (2002); Willis S.L. et al. Long-term effects of cognitive training to everyday functional outcomes in older adults. Journal of the American Medical Association 296, 2805-14 (2006); Wolinsky, F.D. et al. The ACTIVE cognitive training trial and health-related quality of life: protection that lasts for 5 years. Journal of Gerontology 61, 1324-9 (2006). Edwards, J.D. et al. The impact of speed of processing training on cognitive and everyday performance. Aging Mental Health 9, 262-71 (2005); Wolinksy et al, The effect of speed-of-processing training on depressive symptoms in ACTIVE, The Journals of Gerontology A 64(4), 468-72 (2009).
3. ^ TBD
4. ^ Ball, K. & Owsley, C. The Useful Field of View test: A new technique for evaluating age-related declines in visual function. Journal of the American
5. ^ Edwards, J. D. et al. The Longitudinal Impact of Cognitive Speed of Processing Training on Driving Mobility. Gerontologist (2009); Roenker, D. L., Cissell, G. M., Ball, K. K., Wadley, V. G. & Edwards, J. D. Speed-of-processing and driving simulator training result in improved driving performance. Human Factors 45, 218-33 (2003); Roenker, D. L., Cissell, G. M., Ball, K. K., Wadley, V. G. & Edwards, J. D. Speed-of-processing and driving simulator training result in improved driving performance. Human Factors 45, 218-33 (2003);
6. ^ Willis, S. L. et al. Long-term effects of cognitive training on everyday functional outcomes in older adults. Journal of the American Medical Association 296, 2805-14 (2006); Edwards, J. D. et al. Transfer of a speed of processing intervention to near and far cognitive functions. Gerontology 48, 329-40 (2002); Edwards, J. D. et al. The impact of speed of processing training on cognitive and everyday performance. Aging Mental Health 9, 262-71 (2005).
7. ^ Edwards, J., Delahunt, P. B. & Mahncke, H. W. Cognitive Speed of Processing Training Delays Driving Cessation. Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences 2009 Sep 2 (In press); Freeman, E. E., S. J. Gange, B. Munoz and S. K. West (2006). "Driving status and risk of entry into long-term care in older adults." Am J Public Health 96(7): 1254-9.
8. ^ Wolinsky, F. D. et al. The effect of speed-of-processing training on depressive symptoms in ACTIVE. Journal of Gerontology, 64, 468-72 (2009); Wolinsky et al., submitted
9. ^ Ball, K., Edwards, J., McGwin, G., Jr. & Roenker, D., Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting (Washington DC, USA, 2009). (ACTIVE study)
10. ^ Wolinsky, F. D. et al. The ACTIVE cognitive training trial and health-related quality of life: protection that lasts for 5 years. Journal of Gerontology, 61, 1324-9 (2006); Wolinsky, F. D. et al. The effects of the ACTIVE cognitive training trial on clinically relevant declines in health-related quality of life. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 61, S281-7 (2006). (ACTIVE study)
11. ^ Edwards, J., Delahunt, P. B. & Mahncke, H. W. Cognitive Speed of Processing Training Delays Driving Cessation. Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences (In Press)