InSight - Visual Processing & Memory Training: Day One

When the brain fitness gurus over at PositScience offered me a chance to review their latest offering, Cortex, with InSight, I happily accepted. After all, I’ve been wanting to peer under the hood of their software for quite some time. The package arrived on Friday, and after a bit of a delay ( due to blog design issues and the descent of Danish relatives) I finally popped it into the DVD drive and got the old neurons fired up.

The original PositScience program focuses on training with sound (which makes sense, given founder Dr. Michael Merzenich’s previous work with cochlear implants). In contrast, InSight is targeted towards the visual side of things. Several of the exercises work with the “Useful Field of View” training technology, which don’t really understand just yet, but I promise to find out more about it

Installation went smoothly; it should pose no problem even for those with little computer experience. The program comes with a printed, illustrated installation guide, each step laid out in easy to read fonts. Even the registration code is printed in a decent sized font, something even my nearsighted self appreciates. (I do get tired of trying to make out at serial numbers in size 4 fonts. )

I won’t attempt a full review until I’ve worked with the program for a while, but…

First impressions?

This is serious brain training, designed to be usable by those who are may already feeling effects of cognitive impairment, but challenging enough to sharpen already sharp brains. It requires a pretty intense focus - and the difficulty levels adjust to your success rate, so there’s no slacking off, even within a single session - I could definitely feel a “shift” in my brain as I worked through the exercises.

I did note an odd disconnect in the game design - the feeling is part lab test, part modern cheery game graphics. The two design approaches don’t exactly work together aesthetically - the result is somewhat like visual elements of JewelQuest being casually draped across an EEG machine. “Pay no attention to the science behind the curtain!’

Still, InSight isn’t meant to be entertainment - it’s medicine of a sort, and the graphic/game elements are likely akin to sugar coating around a pill. Me, I’d be happy without the sugar-graphics, but then, I kind of like the idea of being a labrat, too!

InSight isn’t likely to appeal to casual users; it isn’t particularly entertaining to play, and the pricing is steep: $395 for a single user, $495 for two.** Still, the science behind the program is solid, Dr. Merzenich’s reputation appears to be sterling, and it seems well designed for use by people who need it most: those already suffering from cognitive impairment.

I’ll be posting more of my experience as I work my way through the program, but so far, my impression is positive, as expected. So stay tuned for updates, as we try and get your humble blog author’s brain in tip-top shape!

**There is currently a $50 per user rebate if you complete the recommended 40 hours with the program, and some Humana Medicare plans apparently offer discounted versions.