Wikipedia says "Recent studies suggest that Working Memory can be improved by working memory training (Klingberg et al., 2002)...Perhaps of greater importance, another study has found after a period of working memory training an increase in a range of cognitive abilities and an increase in IQ test scores of approximately 8%."
A search for "Torkel Klingberg" in PubMed returns 26 papers published in peer-reviewed publications such as the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, and Nature Neuroscience.
We are happy to launch our Neuroscientist Interview Series with an interview with Dr. Torkel Klingberg.
Alvaro Fernandez (AF): Welcome. Can you let us know where you work, and what your Lab does?
Dr. Torkel Klingberg (TK): I have a professorship at Karolinska Institute, and lead the Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, part of the Stockholm Brain Institute. The lab is addressing the questions of development and plasticity of working memory. We do that through several techniques, such as fMRI, diffusion tensor imaging to look at myelination of white matter in the brain, neural network models of working memory and behavioral studies. In addition, I am a scientific advisor for Cogmed, the company that developed and commercializes RoboMemo.
AF: What studies have you published so far? What studies are in the pipeline, and will be published soon?
TK: You can find a complete list, and the studies themselves, at the lab homepage. Among our studies are three studies on the effect of working memory training: Klingberg et al. 2002, 2005 and Olesen et al. 2004. We have recently submitted two papers on the effect of training in combination with medication, and the effect of training on school performance.
AF: What are the highlights of your research so far?
TK: Our paper from 2004 in Nature Neuroscience, on the effect of working memory training on brain activity, and the 2005 randomized, controlled clinical trial that showed the impact of working memory training specifically in kids with ADD/ ADHD, have caught most public attention, including references in Scientific American.
My other research concerns the neural basis for development and plasticity of cognitive functions during childhood, in particular development of attention and working memory.
In short, I'd say that we have shown that working memory can be improved by training and that such training helps people with attention deficits and it also improves reasoning ability overall.
AF: What are the effects in every-day life for a child with attention deficits?
TK: When looking at the 1,200 children who have trained in Cogmed's Stockholm Clinic since start, the most common effects are sustained attention, better impulse control and improved learning ability. Parents often report that their children perform better in school and are able to keep up a coherent conversation more easily after training. Being able to hold back impulses, such as anger outbursts, and keeping better track of one's things are other every-day life benefits.
AF: How are you making the program available?
TK: All rights are with Cogmed, who is making this available in Sweden and starting to offer this to selected clinics in the US this year. The program is called RoboMemo Working Memory Training Program.
AF: What do you expect that we will learn over the next 5 years in the field of Brain Fitness Programs and cognitive training?
TK: I think that we are seeing the beginning of a new era of computerized training for a wide range of applications. Our studies has mostly been aimed at individuals with marked problems of inattention, but there is a wider zone concerning what you define as attention problems, and we will see how RoboMemo can help a larger part of the population in improving cognitive function.
AF: What will you talk about at CHADD?
TK: I will present the data from our published studies on ADHD, as well as some new data from independent researchers in US universities that confirm our findings concerning the effect of working memory training.
AF: You are writing a book, correct? what is it about?
TK: The book is a popular science book about working memory, in the lab and in daily life. It will be out in March in Sweden and we are currently looking for a US publisher.
AF: Dr. Klingberg, thanks for your time.
TK: My pleasure.
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You may also be interested in the following posts
- Interview with Prof. David Rabiner on Cognitive Training and ADD/ ADHD
- Neuroplasticity and brain exercise
- Working Memory Training and Attention Deficits
[...] I will be presenting lessons from Cogmed's Working Memory Training Program for kids with ADD/ ADHD, developed by the team at Karolinska Institute, led by Dr. Torkel Klingberg, and by Cogmed. The program is called RoboMemo, and is one of the Brain Fitness Programs with more solid research we have found for people with serious concentration difficulties like ADD/ ADHD. [...]
[...] Related Links 50 Ways to Cope With Menopause by Dr. Linda Hughey Holt and Ada P. Kahn North American Menopause Society Interview with Dr. Torkel Klingberg, researcher in working memory Interview with Professor David Rabiner, advocate for children and adults with ADD/ ADHD RoboMemo remobilizes working memory [...]
[...] Related Links 50 Ways to Cope With Menopause by Dr. Linda Hughey Holt and Ada P. Kahn North American Menopause Society Interview with Dr. Torkel Klingberg, researcher in working memory Interview with Professor David Rabiner, advocate for people with ADD/ADHD RoboMemo remobilizes working memory [...]
[...] Some readings: - Interview with Dr. Torkel Klingberg, Working Memory Training leading researcher - Interview with Dr. David Rabiner, ADD/ ADHD leading researcher - Reflections at a meeting with a number of school superintendents [...]
[...] The discounted registration for the Serious Games Summit in DC, October 30-31st, is about to end. If interested, hurry up! I will be presenting lessons from Cogmed's Working Memory Training Program for kids with ADD/ ADHD, developed by the team at Karolinska Institute, led by Dr. Torkel Klingberg, and by Cogmed. The program is called RoboMemo, and is one of the Brain Fitness Programs with more solid research we have found for people with serious concentration difficulties like ADD/ ADHD. [...]
[...] You can read in more depth about a couple of areas he touches on, such as some highlights from the clinical work and books by Dr. Elkhonon Goldberg , and an interview with Cogmed's Dr. Torkel Klingberg, the leading scientist behind RoboMemo. [...]
[...] DG: Thank you. I enjoyed very much reading your interview with Dr. Torkel Klingberg on working memory training, and appreciate your help in increasing awareness of the whole field. Btw, I will be traveling next week to Spain, for a meeting of the Skills project. The meeting will be in Bilbao. [...]
[...] Some readings: - Interview with Dr. Torkel Klingberg, Working Memory Training leading researcher - Interview with Dr. David Rabiner, ADD/ ADHD leading researcher - Reflections at a meeting with a number of school superintendents [...]
[...] Train your brain. According to Torkel Klingberg at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, "Genetics determines a lot and so does the early gestation period. On top of that, there is a few per cent - we don't know how much - that can be improved by training." [...]
[...] Long before Dr. Olesen, Dr. Westerberg and Dr. Torkel Klingberg published their very-well-received paper about working memory training (titled Increased prefrontal and parietal activity after training of working memory), brain-training services had been available here. “Speed Listening” advertisements say “Why haven’t we come up with this idea before?”, and the idea is that by listening 2x speed, your brain works 2x faster. I believe it was there from the 70s and, even now inside the paper bag from bookshop you can find its brochure when you buy books. World popular speed-reading has its Japanese version of propaganda that it not only speeds up your reading but also your brain and even “activates” your right brain. This is not based on actual research, but many people believe it. [...]
[...] - Wednesday: Cogmed organized a private meeting with the 15 US-based clinicians (from pediatricians to neuropsychologists and child psychiatrists) who have started to offer RoboMemo to their patients with working memory deficits-a condition in many kids and adults with ADD/ADHD. We heard incredible testimonials from people like Dr. Barbara Ingersoll, Dr. Arthur Lavin, and others. Not only that, but Dr. Torkel Klingberg presented some preliminary data coming from the work in the Karolinska Institute and a replication study done in by Bradley Gibson at NotreDame University (he and his team are doing very interesting work on cognitive training of executive functions). [...]
[...] We want to congratulate Dr. Torkel Klingberg, professor of cognitive neuroscience at the Karolinska Institute and one of the founders of Cogmed, on receiving the Philip’s Nordic Prize for his research on working memory training for children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The prize recognizes outstanding research in the field of neuropsychiatry and was presented by the Norwegian royal princess Märtha Louise at the Rikshospital in Oslo, Norway. Translating his research into an active training program, Klingberg co-founded Cogmed, a developer of software-based working memory training products headquartered in Stockholm. Cogmed’s rigorous and rewarding program combines computer-based training and personal coaching to help people with attention deficits strengthen their working memories. More than 80 percent of children who have completed Cogmed’s intensive five-week program have demonstrated dramatic and lasting improvements to their attention, impulse control and problem solving skills. “I am honored and deeply grateful to receive this award,” said Klingberg. “It is a source of personal joy to see these advances positively affect the lives of children who struggle with attention deficits. This award will help continue the important research on working memory training being conducted at the Karolinska Institute.” [...]
[...] January 26, 2007 at 4:54 pm · Filed under Education, Serious Games, Memory Training, Brain health, Brain Fitness, Working memory, Cognitive Neuroscience, Brain Training, Attention and ADD/ ADHD, Cognitive Training, Brain-based Learning, Cogmed, RoboMemo We want to congratulate Dr. Torkel Klingberg, professor of cognitive neuroscience at the Karolinska Institute and one of the founders of Cogmed, on receiving the Philip’s Nordic Prize for his research on working memory training for children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The prize recognizes outstanding research in the field of neuropsychiatry and was presented by the Norwegian royal princess Märtha Louise at the Rikshospital in Oslo, Norway. Translating his research into an active training program, Klingberg co-founded Cogmed, a developer of software-based working memory training products headquartered in Stockholm. Cogmed’s rigorous and rewarding program combines computer-based training and personal coaching to help people with attention deficits strengthen their working memories. More than 80 percent of children who have completed Cogmed’s intensive five-week program have demonstrated dramatic and lasting improvements to their attention, impulse control and problem solving skills. “I am honored and deeply grateful to receive this award,” said Klingberg. “It is a source of personal joy to see these advances positively affect the lives of children who struggle with attention deficits. This award will help continue the important research on working memory training being conducted at the Karolinska Institute.” [...]
[...] Our main character: Dr. Torkel Klingberg, whom we had the fortune to interview last September (full notes at Working Memory Training and RoboMemo: Interview with Dr. Torkel Klingberg), and who has since received the pretigious Philip’s Nordic Prize. [...]
[...] On Working Memory Training and RoboMemo: Interview with Dr. Torkel Klingberg, professor at Karolinska Institute, and director of the Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, part of the Stockholm Brain Institute. He is also the scientific advisor for Cogmed Working Memory Training program (RoboMemo). [...]
[...] On Working Memory Training and RoboMemo: Interview with Dr. Torkel Klingberg, professor at Karolinska Institute, and director of the Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, part of the Stockholm Brain Institute. [...]
[...] Dr. Torkel Klingberg, professor at Karolinska Institute, and director of the Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, part of the Stockholm Brain Institute. [...]
[...] What if we are starting to see good tools that enable us to train and improve working memory, and the ability to self-regulate emotions, and to cultivate altruism? how will this influence our society? where do we start? how do we become even more human? Learn More about Brain Fitness Join our Message Boards Find the Right Program Tags: Alfred Nobel will, conscious foresight, cultivate altruism, Emotional self regulation, free will, genes and memes, nature and nurture, Nobel Peace Prize, Richard Dawkins, United Nations, Working memory [...]
[...] Today we interview Dr. Arthur Lavin, Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Case Western School of Medicine, pediatrician in private practice, and one of the first providers of Cogmed Working Memory Training in the US (the program whose research we discussed with Dr. Torkel Klingberg and Dr. Bradley Gibson). Dr. Lavin has a long standing interest in technology-as evidenced by Microsoft's recognition of his paperless office- and in brain research and applications-he trained with esteemed Mel Levine from All Kinds of Minds-. [...]
[...] “We have shown that working memory can be improved by training” – Dr. Torkel Klingberg, Professor at Karolinska Institute, and Director of the Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, part of the Stockholm Brain Institute: Read Interview Notes [...]
[...] If you want to learn more: Evaluation Checklist and review of our own skepticism regarding some claims. Interview notes with neuroscientists behind military and basketball training applications and working memory training for kids with ADD/ ADHD. [...]
[...] “We have shown that working memory can be improved by training...I think that we are seeing the beginning of a new era of computerized training for a wide range of applications” – Dr. Torkel Klingberg, Director of the Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab at Karolinska Institute. Full Interview Notes. [...]
[...] - “We have shown that working memory can be improved by training...I think that we are seeing the beginning of a new era of computerized training for a wide range of applications” – Dr. Torkel Klingberg, Director of the Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab at Karolinska Institute. Full Interview Notes. [...]
[...] You can also read our interview with the leading neuroscientist behind Cogmed, Dr. Torkel Klingberg. [...]