The current issue

Augmenting Human Cognition, Part 1: Non-Invasive Cognitive Training
Mensa Research Journal vol. 42, No. 2; 88 pages; published summer 2011

This issue is the first of two examining the possibilities for increasing the performance of the human brain. This issue includes nine articles; notes, quotes and anecdotes; and guidelines for authors. 

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Points to consider from this issue:

"Fluid intelligence (Gf) refers to the ability to reason and to solve new problems independently of previously acquired knowledge. Gf is critical for a wide variety of cognitive tasks, and it is considered one of the most important factors in learning. Moreover, Gf is closely related to professional and educational success, especially in complex and demanding environments. ...Here, we present evidence for transfer from training on a demanding working memory task to measures of Gf. This transfer results even though the trained task is entirely different from the intelligence test itself. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the extent of gain in intelligence critically depends on the amount of training: the more training, the more improvement in Gf. That is, the training effect is dosage-dependent. Thus, in contrast to many previous studies, we conclude that it is possible to improve Gf without practicing the testing tasks themselves, opening a wide range of applications."

— Jaeggi, Buschkuehl, Jonides & Perrig, from the article
"Improving fluid intelligence with training on working memory"