Neuroplasticity and Learning: The Promise of Pairing SAIDO and NIRS
You may know about NIRS in relation to Thinkie, but are you familiar with SAIDO Learning? How do they work together, and what exactly could the future hold for their combination? And how is Dr Kawashima involved?
Let’s first delve into the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain that controls executive function and is one of the chief distinctions setting humans apart from primates.
Neuroplasticity and lifespan changes in the prefrontal cortex
The human prefrontal cortex (PFC) is a critical region for higher cognitive functions such as decision-making, impulse control, and social behavior. Humans have greater working memory capacity, allowing for better integration of past experiences and future planning.1 The PFC undergoes significant development and decline throughout the human lifespan. During childhood and adolescence, the PFC experiences rapid growth and maturation, characterized by increased synaptic connections and myelination, which enhance cognitive abilities and assist in emotional regulation. This period of development is crucial for building executive function as the brain refines its neural circuits through experiences and learning.
Maturation of the PFC is followed by a process of selective elimination, or "pruning," which continues through adolescence and into early adulthood. All the while, myelination of PFC axons progresses, enhancing neural transmission efficiency. Decline of the PFC begins in the late-twenties, accompanied by a gradual reduction in volume and synaptic density, which can affect cognitive flexibility and processing speed.2
A brief diversion on white and gray matter ...
After the PFC's peak, there is a gradual decline in gray matter volume, which accelerates after age 50. White matter volume, however, continues to increase until around age 29 before declining. This prolonged developmental trajectory allows for extensive environmental interaction and learning, shaping and reshaping the PFC's complex circuitry (i.e., neuroplasticity) and contributing to its role in higher-order cognitive functions.3 The brain's grey matter is composed primarily of neuronal cell bodies and dendrites and exists to process information and control cognitive functions. In contrast, white matter consists mainly of myelinated axons and functions to facilitate rapid communication between different brain regions and between the brain and the rest of the body.
Now, a bit about SAIDO Learning ...
About SAIDO
SAIDO Learning is a non-pharmacological treatment which has been shown to ameliorate or slow the progress of symptoms of dementia among senior citizens. SAIDO was developed by Kumon Institute of Education in conjunction with Professor Ryuta Kawashima of Tohoku University, and has been practiced in Japan since 2004. You may recall that Dr. Kawashima is the pioneering researcher who developed Thinkie's brain training games. (Dr. Kawashima is an adviser to both SAIDO and Thinkie.)
SAIDO Learning emphasizes individualized, one-on-one sessions that adapt to the learner’s pace and abilities, focusing on simple arithmetic, reading, and writing exercises. This personalized approach not only fosters confidence but also encourages cognitive engagement, which is crucial for individuals experiencing memory loss.4 If you've ever played Thinkie games, you know that rapid execution of simple exercises is the basis of our brain training approach.
Finally, here's a level-set on NIRS technology, which is the core of Thinkie's sensor platform:
About NIRS-based brain training
Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) is an innovative neuroimaging technique that measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow and oxygenation in the brain. This non-invasive method is particularly valuable in cognitive training contexts, as it allows researchers and practitioners to monitor real-time brain responses during various tasks. It is important to keep in mind that NIRS-based brain training is not a medical intervention and Thinkie is not a treatment for dementia or other neurological conditions.
Now that you've got a clear understanding of the human prefrontal cortex, in our next instalment we'll delve into how NIRS technology is being used to improve outcomes for SAIDO learning techniques in patients facing cognitive decline.
1 The prefrontal cortex: from monkey to man
2 Development of the Prefrontal Cortex, Nature Magazine