Academia

Academia are delighted to announce the launch of COMPASS Software, a tool designed by the 
University of Northumbria to provide a simple solution to the complexities of cognitive testing. 
Academia has been chosen by the University of Northumbria to promote the software to 
Universities & Colleges and individual research staff. Licenses are available in undergraduate 
or post graduate form. It is hoped that this will be the first of a number of products that the 
University brings to market. To view pricing and information see  
/compass-cognitive-software/default.aspx

What the press say...
Psychologists at Northumbria University have launched a commercial software tool to measure
 brain performance that will aid researchers in higher education and pharmaceutical companies

The Computerised Mental Performance Assessment System (COMPASS) – a battery of 
standardised cognitive tasks and mood measures – is the brainchild of academics Dr Crystal 
Haskell and Professor David Kennedy and will be sold to other Universities and Educational Institutions. 

Created and developed over three years by researchers in the School of Life Sciences’ Brain, Performance and Nutrition Centre, the software has already produced a dossier of published research including papers  examining the effects of caffeine, sage, omega-3 fatty acids and resveratrol, a polyphenol found in red wine, on cognitive performance. 

COMPASS tests brain performance via a wide variety of cognitive tasks, including memory tasks such as word, picture and face recognition, and a range of tasks assessing attention, concentration and the ability to manipulate information. It can be used for a straightforward measure of cognitive function, or to evaluate the effects of drugs, natural chemicals, food chemicals or other factors on brain function.   

Though software packages incorporating such cognitive tests currently exist, COMPASS stands out in its flexibility and extensive range of cognitive tasks and mood measures available. The software system was custom designed and programmed to accommodate any experimental situation. Users can select their own unique suite of tasks for each research project, and the tests can be undertaken with stimuli suitable for all ages, from children to the elderly. 

Compass has been used by researchers at Northumbria in various studies. One key study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found improvements in participants’ brain function following the consumption of resveratrol, a molecule found in red wine. 

Professor Kennedy, Director of the Brain, Performance and Nutrition Centre, said: “All Psychology departments have a requirement for cognitive testing but many are using systems that need to be programmed specifically for each study. Often this involves using specialist computer programming languages, which can make it a complex process.   

“COMPASS pulls together many of the tasks that are currently available in the market but with vastly greater capabilities and at a lower price. It has applications for undergraduate teaching, postgraduate research and commercially-funded research.” 

Dr Haskell, Associate Director at the Brain, Performance and Nutrition Centre, added: “One of the great things about COMPASS is the flexibility of the system, allowing the user to have full control over the design of their research, including customising tasks to suit their own needs. Another key feature of the system is that it allows users to have instant access to their data in the form of an excel sheet – again this affords the user greater control over their own research.” 

Following the successful three-year development and testing of Compass, the software is now available for other research institutions to purchase. 

The academics have worked closely with business consultant Ross Miller, of Miller Reconstruction Ltd, in commercialising the software for a wider market. 

He said: “In this century this is the most advanced and comprehensive piece of software of its kind. COMPASS is very easy to use across all sectors. It has already been utilised very successfully for research within Northumbria University and also in Australia and New Zealand.

“I believe that COMPASS will make a significant impact on the commercial and academic research market.” 

For more information about COMPASS visit  /compass-cognitive-software/default.aspx