Enhancing Cognition in the Presence of Distraction and/or Interruption

A computer-implemented method for diagnosing cognitive function of an individual, said method being implemented using a computer device having an input component, said method comprising:

• presenting at least a first task to the individual requiring a response from the individual via the input device;
• presenting at least a first interference with the first task;
• obtaining in said computer input component the individual's responses to the at least a first task;
• analyzing in said computer device the difference in the individual's performance when performing the at least said first task without interference and with interference to determine an individual's cognitive function;
• and
• providing an output from the computer device indicative of the individual's determined cognitive function.

A computer-implemented method for enhancing cognition of an individual by training the individual to process interference in conjunction with a task, said method being implemented using a computer device having an input device, said method comprising:

• presenting at least a first task having a difficulty level to the individual requiring a response from the individual via the input device;
• presenting at least a first interference with the first task;
• obtaining in said computer input device the individual's responses to the at least a first task;
• analyzing in said computer device the individual's performance regarding responses to each presented first task;
• presenting said at least a first task, at least a first interference and obtaining in said computer device the individual's responses in an iterative manner;
• adjusting the difficulty level of the at least a first task based upon the individual's performance determined in the analyzing step;
• and
• providing an output from the computer device indicative of the individual's cognitive function.

A computer-readable memory medium that stores program instructions for enhancing cognition in an individual, utilizing a computing device to present tasks for training, and to receive responses from the individual, wherein the program instructions are executable by a processor to perform:

• presenting at least a visual task to the individual using the display component requiring a responses from the individual via the input device;
• presenting at least a first interference within the first task, wherein the first interference diverts the individuals attention from the visual task;
• obtaining in said computer device the individual's responses to the at least a visual task;
• and
• analyzing in said computer device the difference in the individual's performance when performing the at least a visual task without interference and with interference to determine the individual's cognitive skills.

A computer-readable memory medium that stores program instructions for enhancing cognition in an individual, utilizing a computing device to present tasks for training, and to receive responses from the individual, wherein the program instructions are executable by a processor to perform:

• presenting at least a first task to the individual requiring a response from the individual via the input device;
• presenting at least a first interference with the first task;
• obtaining in said computer input component the individual's responses to the at least a first task;
• analyzing in said computer device the difference in the individual's performance when performing the at least said first task without interference and with interference to determine an individual's cognitive function;
• and
• providing an output from the computer device indicative of the individual's determined cognitive function.

A computer-readable memory medium that stores program instructions for enhancing cognition in an individual, utilizing a computing device to present tasks for training, and to receive responses from the individual, wherein the program instructions are executable by a processor to perform:

• presenting at least a first task having a difficulty level to the individual requiring a response from the individual via the input device;
• presenting at least a first interference with the first task;
• obtaining in said computer input component the individual's responses to the at least a first task;
• analyzing in said computer device the individual's performance regarding responses to each presented first task;
• presenting said at least a first task, at least a first interference and obtaining in said computer device the individual's responses in an iterative manner;
• adjusting the difficulty level of the at least a first task based upon the individual's performance determined in the analyzing step;
• and
• providing an output from the computer device indicative of the individual's cognitive function.