Multidisciplinary cognitive performance optimization for mission-critical decision makers: delivering "the whole...

Despite the promise of artificial intelligence, there remains no substitute for human analytical acumen and decision-making. Human cognitive performance is not fixed; it can often be substantially improved through specific interventions. The field of cognitive performance optimization is multidisciplinary, often involving contributions from physicians, psychologists, athletic trainers, therapists, executive coaches, and many other professionals. Key domains include lifestyle factors, treatment of potentially cognitively impairing disorders, careful use of stimulants, and additional personalized interventions. Modifiable lifestyle factors such as sleep, physical exercise, toxic substances, stress management, and diet play a crucial role. Treatable cognitively impairing disorders include sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), migraine with or without neurological aura, vitamin B12 deficiency, hypothyroidism, and obesity. Stimulants, including both prescription stimulants like methylphenidate and non-prescription stimulants like caffeine, can improve fatigue, sustained attention and processing speed with manageable risks when used carefully. Personalized interventions include correction of vision and hearing deficits, cognitive rehabilitation under professional therapist guidance, computer-based cognitive skills training, cognitive performance coaching, and non-invasive brain stimulation. Taken together, addressing these domains in a multidisciplinary fashion can result in meaningful benefits in terms of cognitive performance. However, cognitive performance optimization requires substantial time and effort on the part of the providers and participants as there are rarely any "easy fixes." Importantly, cognitive performance optimization is an evolving science with great promise for future advanced interventions.