The research in the Klingberglab is aimed at better understanding the neural basis for cognitive development during childhood. This includes studying training-induced plasticity of the brain. The psychological functions we are interested in are working memory, attention, and reasoning, as well as academic abilities such as mathematics and reading.
Children who exercise their working memory also find it easier to concentrate. This was one of the key insights that Torkel Klingberg gained from developing a clinical training programme for children with ADHD. The next step is a research-based tool to increase knowledge of mathematics among the world’s children.
Torkel Klingberg is a professor of neurology at the Karolinska Institute and is interested in how our various circumstances – our genes, socioeconomic circumstances and length of education – can affect how our cognitive abilities develop.
Our research focus is aimed at better understanding the neural basis for cognitive and academic development during childhood and training-induced plasticity of the brain. In particular, we focus on working memory and attention, which are central aspects of cognition. Among the academic abilities we are especially interested in is development of mathematical ability.
The methodology includes functional MRI to study brain activity, diffusion tensor imaging to measure myelination, neural network models, genetic analysis and computerized measures of behavior. A major focus is development of computerized methods for improving attention and working memory in children with working memory deficits.
Contact information for the Klingberg Laboratory at the Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet.
Karolinska Institutet
Department of Neuroscience
171 77 Stockholm
Karolinska Institutet
Biomedicum, Quarter D4
Solnavägen 9
171 65 Solna
Biomedicum
Tomtebodavägen 16
171 65 Solna
