Faux Medical Trial using the COMPASS Corsi Block Task (Past Academic Essay)

The following essay was written during my time studying at Northumbria University in 2021-23. The question asked was: "In this component of the assignment you have to critically consider the use of the COMPASS cognitive battery in assessing the ‘cognitive enhancement’ of a novel nutritional compound called MemAid. The cognitive process you are interested in is visuospatial working memory, as measured by the Computerised Corsi Blocks task. You also have access to the participants’ data in the form of Simple and Two-Choice Reaction Time, N-Back, Peg and Ball, Card-Sort, Serial Subtractions and the Stroop task. The results suggest that there is significant enhancement by MemAid of the Computerised CorsiBlocks task performance. It was also noted that MemAid improved performance on both Reaction Time tasks, the N-Back task, and the Stroop Task but no other tasks. Critically interpret what these results mean for the participants’ spatial working memory processes, keeping in mind their performance on the other cognitive tasks identified above. Your answer should explicitly make use of the cognitive theoretical and research literature discussed in the Cognitive component sessions."

A study was conducted using COMPASS’s Corsi Block Task to determine whether there was a cognitive enhancement of the visuospatial working memory when the drug MemAid was administered to participants. The results concluded that MemAid improved the working memory of its participants and increased reaction times when completing the task.

In this essay, I will critically consider the use of the COMPASS cognitive battery in

assessing the ‘cognitive enhancement’ of a novel nutritional compound called MemAid. Firstly, I will analyse the Corsi Block Task with relation to Visuospatial Working Memory. This will explain what the task is, how it measures Visuospatial Working Memory and how pure the task demands are. There will then be consideration of the task demands of the Corsi Block Task and how they can be decomposed to assist the assessment of cognitive enhancement in participants. Following this, the research results completed for the drug ‘MemAid’ will be evaluated given these considerations to task purity. It will then be discussed how other COMPASS tasks such as the Peg and Ball Task could provide insight into the change in the Computerised Corsi Blocks task performance. The

essay will then be concluded with a closing statement on whether the use of the COMPASS cognitive battery is an effective tool in assessing the ‘cognitive enhancement’ of a novel nutritional compound called MemAid.

The Corsi Block Task is a short term memory task developed by Philip Michael Corsi. (Corsi Task, 2021) In this task, the person carrying out the study will arrange nine blocks before a participant. They will then tap a sequence of blocks, which the participant must try to remember and repeat the sequence after. This process is repeated multiple times with different lengths of blocks. On COMPASS, this has been simulated into a computerised version. The Corsi Block Task was designed to measure the participant's ability to remember the order in which the blocks have been tapped, in addition to their ability to pay attention to the blocks being tapped. This process requires visuospatial working memory to complete.

Visuospatial working memory, otherwise known as VSTM, is a combination of processing

mechanisms that preserve and manipulate cognitive functions such as mental imagery when information is no longer present in the individual's immediate surroundings. Alan Baddeley described the concept of working memory as ‘a limited capacity system, which temporarily maintains and stores information, supports human thought processes by providing an interface between perception, long-term memory and action’. (Baddeley,, A., 2003) Nelson Cowan interpreted working memory as something which is activated by long term memory using executive attentional processes. The properties of VSTM are investigated using the change detection paradigm, which uses a presentation of information that requires the individual to remember the information presented. There is then a retention period followed by a probe display that is either identical or different from the original presentation. (Nikolova, A., & Macken, B., 2016)

In a conventional phonological memory task, digit span, or word span, the participant has to listen to a sequence of auditory items, e.g. digits or words, then recall the items in the same order of presentation. This component is also called the episodic buffer; it is a temporary storage space that integrates information from other components and maintains a sense of time so that events can occur in a continuing sequence. (Episodic Buffer, 2021) As the words continue to be presented, individuals cannot keep the earlier words in mind. This is because they have been stored in the short term working memory, so they are no longer focused on attention.

An assumption made by researchers is that individuals can only keep 3-4 verbal items in

mind when organisation and rehearsal are not possible. (ibid., Nikolova, A., & Macken, B., 2016) This is the process when words are kept in the focus of attention within the partially activated secondary memory. In order to improve working memory and move these items from the focus of attention to the partially activated secondary memory, the individual must organise the items or features into another dimension of information, such as relating the items to colours or categories. This activity will move the items from their short term memory to their partially activated long term memory.

One organisational technique is to use the phonological store. The phonological loop is a component of the working memory model which handles spoken and written material. (McLeod, S.A., 2012) This gets subdivided between the phonological store and the articulatory process. The phonological store, otherwise known as the inner ear, processes speech perception and stores spoken words that humans hear for up to 2 seconds. The articulatory control process, otherwise known as the inner voice, processes speech production and rehearses verbal information from the phonological store. (ibid., McLeod, S.A., 2012)

Another popular technique is to use the visual cache. The visuospatial sketchpad is

'responsible for processing visual and spatial information'. (Wright, J., 2012) This allows individuals to store images in their minds and the object's location. There are two components of the visuospatial sketchpad; one is the visual cache which stores information about colour and visual form. (ibid., Wright, J., 2012) The other component is the inner scribe which rehearses information from the visual cache and transfers that

information to the central executive.

This organisation means that manipulations of item complexity can lead to unintended

effects on the emerging perceptual organisation of the display, which is incredibly difficult to control in studies and can have significant effects on task performance. This cue selection is called object-based attention because it groups items into discriminated targets. The change detection paradigm has given insight into how individuals use attention control when carrying out working memory tasks, emphasising the importance of attention as an executive resource. As seen in figure 1 below, within the Corsi Task, each new red square location appears, focuses entirely on attention

within the storage phase. (Stefania Lancia & Others, 2018)

When rehearsed, the other red square locations are maintained in partially activated

secondary memory, but it is required that they will need to be rehearsed before they decay. (Unsworth, N., 2007) The participant will then repeat back the sequence presented to them in the reproduction phase. This retrieval process may require attentional control. This process is then assessed on how well they could reproduce the sequence, thus assessing their visuospatial working memory.

Its task purity must be evaluated to assess whether the Corsi Block Task is an effective

measure for cognitive function. Task purity evaluates how easy a task is to complete and assess. If a task is classed as impure, then the task is likely to rely on a complex combination of cognitive processes, making interpreting the results very difficult. Task purity is an essential process in evaluating whether the Corsi Block Task is a reliable way of collecting data for the Mem-Aid study because if the task is impure, it may give inaccurate results. In order to evaluate whether a task is pure or not, it must be assessed by its demands. Task demands relate to what the participant must do to complete said task. The task demands will evaluate the tasks divisibility and difficulty by judging the procedures that an individual or group can use to complete the task. The Corsi Block Task demands that participants remember the spatial locations of the blocks which have been tapped or flashed on the screen, in addition to the order of the sequence in which they were tapped or flashed on the screen. This means that the task demands are the spatial location of the block and the sequence order of the presentation. A problem is presented with task purity associated with the Corsi block task.

If a task requires that more than one resource be performed, then it is wise to decompose it into more fine-grained tasks to be assigned to different resources. (Darbyshire, P., 2021) Task decomposition is when a task is broken down into its component features to analyse said task and collect detailed information. An example of this could be the division of labour in building vehicles. The end goal is to build a vehicle. However, each task to build that vehicle must be decomposed into different labourers who have expertise on that specific task. In psychology, task decomposition breaks down a task into multiple smaller tasks, collecting data to create one data set.

The method of task decomposition may be seen in figure 2 above. (Vidal & Others, 2010) As can be seen, the task is analysed for its method, which is then split into sub-tasks, then split into a control layer to simplify the task.

The analyst must describe the task using hierarchal task analysis (HTA) to conduct task

decomposition. This breaks the task down by its specific goals, subgoals, operations, and plans. (Task Decomposition, 2021) The task activity can be described in detail when the analysis has been completed. The HTA description allows the analyst to understand what has been done to complete the task step, which helps them form the decomposition categories. These categories may be descriptive, organisation-specific, and modelling. (ibid., Task Decomposition, 2021) From this information, the analyst will record the task descriptions to collect pertinent information for each decomposition category. The collected data can then be transferred to a task decomposition output table. One advantage of task decomposition is that it can provide a comprehensive analysis vital to collecting data. It also allows the data to be collected quickly, flexible, and generic across most domains. However, this method can also be time-consuming, and expertise is required to use this tool.

The Corsi Block Task can be decomposed by breaking down its task demands. Firstly, the

spatial locations of the blocks which have been tapped or flashed on the screen can be decomposed into a specific goal of paying attention to each block as it has been tapped. The individual must remember which blocks have been selected on the board by paying specific attention to those blocks. The second task is to remember the order of the sequence in which they were tapped or flashed on the screen, which can be decomposed into working memory. Once they have been decomposed into categories, the analyst will record the task descriptions to collect information for each decomposition category. The collected data can then be transferred to a task decomposition output table that separates the use of attention and the use of working memory.

The use of task decomposition allows researchers to assess the cognitive enhancement of their pharmaceutical Mem-Aid because it measures the participants' attention and working memory; both task demands are critical to cognition. In addition to this, the task is relatively pure because it can only be decomposed into two categories, making it a reliable source of information.

The study on MemAid using the Computerised Corsi Blocks task performance showed a

significant cognitive enhancement of visuospatial working memory and reaction times. This would mean that both the attention used to recognise which blocks were being tapped and the working memory used to remember which blocks had been tapped sequentially were significantly improved after administering the MemAid drug and the Corsi Block Task being used recognised as a reliable platform to test such performance.

Other COMPASS tasks could potentially explain the change in the Computerised Corsi

Blocks task performance; one example is the Peg and Ball task. There are many versions of the Peg and Ball task; however, they all include the feature that the individual must solve a problem by moving the pieces and arriving at the goal position in the least number of moves. (Berg, W., & Byrd, D., 2002) This ability to plan and organise is a critical part of cognitive function because it impacts difficulties that arise in daily living. The Peg and Ball task is a puzzle most commonly used to measure the individuals

planning ability by challenging them to solve a specific problem using the least number of moves to arrive at the solution. (ibid., Berg, W., & Byrd, D., 2002) This would prove helpful to the understanding of the change in the results of Computerised Corsi Blocks task performance once administered MemAid because it also focuses on using the working memory and cognitive functions. Email aims to enhance cognitive performance; cognitive performance is not only measured by working memory and attention; it also can be measured by thinking strategically in one head to solve problems.

Another task that could contribute to understanding the perceptual processes in the

Computerised Corsi Blocks task performance could be the experimental VSWM task research implicating a Broader Functional Architecture. (Baddeley, A.D., 2006) Within this span task procedure, a small number of red squares will appear simultaneously as each other on the black squares seen in Figure 3 as Task 1 and 2. The participant is tasked with remembering the locations of the red squares. Both tasks had five red squares. Therefore, they would be equally tricky; however, the second task locations are easier to remember because they obtain asymmetrical arrangements. In the second task procedure shown by Task 3 and Task 4, a small number of red squares appear sequentially on the black squares. Here, participants are tasked with remembering the locations and order of presentation of the red squares. Again, there is more pattern in symmetry for Task 3 compared to Task 4.

This provides evidence that supports VSWM task performance because it focuses on

attentional control. Attentional control is required for task studies because it contributes to task performance; distraction can lead to inaccurate and poor results. A new study by Simon Fraser University concluded that ‘differences in an individual’s working memory capacity correlate with the brain’s ability to ignore distraction actively’. (John, M., & Others, 2016) This study detected electrical activity in the brain using electroencephalogram (EEG) technology to research memory and distraction. It was discovered that individuals who performed well on the task could suppress distractions, whereas those who performed poorly could not suppress distractions quickly enough, which prevented them from paying the same amount of attention as the first set of individuals. Overall, the better the participants performed on the task, the higher their working memory capacity was deemed. In order to improve the task purity of the Corsi block task, other contributors to working memory must be challenged, including attentional control and executive function.

In conclusion, the study results showed that MemAid improved the working memory of its participants and increased reaction times when completing the Corsi Block Task and associated COMPASS tasks such as the Peg and Ball task after the administration of the drug. The results of increased reaction times, improved working memory, increased attention span, and the ability to solve complex puzzles showed that the trial successfully enhanced cognitive performance. COMPASS as a cognitive battery in assessing the trial is considered adequate and accurate in assessing cognitive function following its evaluation of task demands and task purity. Overall, the COMPASS cognitive battery is an effective tool in assessing the cognitive enhancement of the novel nutritional compound, MemAid.

References:

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• John M. Gaspar, Gregory J. Christie, David J. Prime, Pierre Jolicoeur, and John J. McDonald in PNAS. Published online February 22 2016 doi:10.1073/pnas.1523471113

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• Stefania Lancia, Vincenza Cofini, Marika Carrieri, Marco Ferrari, Valentina Quaresima, "Are ventrolateral and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices involved in the computerized Corsi block-tapping test execution? An fNIRS study," Neurophoton. 5(1) 011019 (19 January 2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/1.NPh.5.1.011019

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Cite this essay:

Article Title:	Faux Medical Trial using the COMPASS Corsi Block Task
Author:	Mx. R.J. Gittins
Publisher:	SheThinkDifferent (The Unseen Spectrum)
Date Written:	December 2021
Date Published:	August 2024