The Peak Achievement Trainer offers a real-time assessment of both concentration and alertness/arousal of the user derived by patented and trade secret algorithms from their EEG or electroencephalogram. These measurements can be adapted to provide very meaningful assessments of student state during any activity involving a computer, as described in Patent #5,983,129. NeuroTek seeks to develop a more portable, affordable, easy to use alternative to the present complete training system, which would be appropriate for both DOD use and further commercialization. The present generation of Peak Achievement Trainer equipment uses three salt-water sponge electrodes on the head, which are connected to a computer serial port via an electronic interface which we purchase from a third party. Advancing The Peak Achievement Trainer to this level will require further study of electrodes, their placement, EEG signal processing, and alternatives for transferring the EEG information into the computer. NeuroTek will build and test electrode alternatives, test amplifiers, and generate cost estimates of hard wired and wireless alternatives. In addition, we will do some initial pilot testing of humans interacting with the PC using the current trainer and develop a plan for more complete validation of the training model we will develop. The present Peak Achievement Trainer is a complete training package based on brainwave biofeedback (also known as EEG biofeedback or neurofeedback) methods developed and patented by NeuroTek's founder and CTO, Dr. Jonathan Cowan, the Principal Investigator of this project. The accuracy of the neurofeedback for concentration is a very significant improvement over previous efforts, due to the incorporation of information from the latest neuroimaging studies and Air Force/NASA research on peak-performing B2 bomber pilots. Over 90% of those who try the Trainer for the first time can recognize that the feedback (video and audio) accurately reflects their single-pointed concentration within the first three minutes. The Trainer is built around Dr. Cowan's synthesis of prior literature [] which demonstrates that many of the EEG rhythms (theta, alpha, beta and some delta) are actually indications that the underlying cortex is idling. In order to activate this part of the cortex, these rhythms are suppressed or inhibited by the patented InAll training protocol, thereby enhancing concentration. In essence, NeuroTek has created the first clearly accurate external interface between the human brain and a personal computer. We have recently improved upon it by adding two new measurements, Moderate Alertness and High Alertness, which respond to the varying degrees of arousal needed to create the effort to deal with challenges. The excellence of the Peak Achievement Trainer was recognized by The New York Times Magazine on June 11, 2000, when they included it in their special issue on new technology that would change our lives in the next decade, Tech 2010
Keywords: Assessment, Student State, Concentration, Attention, Alertness, Arousal, Peak Achievement Training, Biofeedback
