Cognition & Technology

Apr 29, 2014

Neurotrauma & Cognition

Concussion & Cognition

Studies on executive function & attention post-concussion

Extent of injury in developing brains (adolescents) compared to adults?

Greater risk of subsequent injury w/ premature return to sport

Concussion & Cognition

Subtle deficits can persist, despite self report Decline in academic performance Body movement, gait Task-shifting

Recovery

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All Athletes No Previous Concussions 1 or More Previous Concussions

N=134 High School Male Football Athletes

WEEK 1 WEEK 2 WEEK 3 WEEK 4 WEEK 5

40%RECOVERED

60%RECOVERED

80%RECOVERED

Collins et al., 2006, Neurosurgery

Research in TBI

Cognitive effects of one season of head impacts in a cohort of collegiate contact sport athletes: What lifestyle factors might delay cognitive decline/ dementia?; McAllister et al. (assigned reading)

Research in TBI

Millions suffer brain injury each year Many are sub-concussive injuries

Test effect of repetitive traumas over season of collegiate sports 214 football & hockey players 45 non-contact sport players

Research in TBI

ImPACT, neuropsychological, cognitive testing Pre & post season

Head impacts measured via HIT helmets Rotational & linear acceleration Location, force of impacts

Average 469 impacts

Research in TBI

Significantly higher % of contact athletes performed below predicted postseason score Subgroup w/ cognitive impact - higher

magnitudes/frequencies

No differences pre-season Suggests lack of residual effects

Confounds?

Assistive Technology

BrainGate

Reading: Human/machine interfaces for recovery of function

http://news.brown.edu/pressreleases/2011/03/braingate

Recording Cognition

Implantable, rechargeable, wireless brain sensor - signals from 100 neurons in vivo Freely moving Natural cognitive behaviors

Connections betw/ multiple sensors

Transition to human research, assistive tech

Connectome Project

Mapping brain connections Fiber pathways 100 billion neurons,

trillions of connections

Abnormalities may underlie psychiatric, cognitive disorders

Cognition & A.I.

“Kismet”

Cognitive Robotics

“Create” cognition in learning robot Reasoning, decision making Perceptual, attentional skills Complex motor coordination Language, communication

Act in the real world - learning

Modeling Human Cognition

Interest in modeling human emotion

Developing & expressing emotion in interaction w/ humans

“Nao”

Postures, gestures & movements (non-verbal)

Modeled on early attachment behaviors Learn as children do

Dr. Cañamero, University of Hertforshire

“Nao”

Adapt to actions/moods of caregiver Preference, attachment Learn via feedback, strengthen “bond” Shared experience, memory

Express variety of emotions “Chooses” when to display

Therapeutic Value

Companions for elderly, ill

Social learning for autistic children

Support for hospitals, treatment centers Reduce anxiety Interact w/ children

“Nexi”

Non-verbal cues for trustworthiness, dishonesty Arm placement Facial movements

Prisoner’s Dilemma Response to human vs.

machineCyn thia Breazeal , MITDr. DeSteno, Northeastern University

Future of Robotics?

Can robots form social bonds, relationships w/ human counterparts?

Results suggest humans willing & able to assign moral intent to Nexi

The “uncanny valley”