Legal Niches

Using Video Games to Screen 'Orchid Children'

By james_fudge

The University of British Columbia is using a "frustrating computer game" to monitor changes in heart rate, breathing, and other indications of stress in "orchid children." The University of British Columbia's Tom Boyce, Anthony Herdman and their colleagues want to learn what is different about the genes and brains of orchid children - youngsters that have certain genes that doom them to a higher risk of depression, ADHD, and other difficulties.

The video game, "flanker fish," is used to gauge how well the subject can focus their attention. Some children are asked to perform other tasks on a computer while machines measure the electrical activity of their brains.

While one researcher monitors vitals, another interviews parents about the child's health, major life events, as well as temperament and behavior. Read More

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Full post as published by GamePolitics.com on January 03, 2011 (boomark / email).