MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'alzheimer´s disease'. Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:20:25 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3699606&cid=t_193780_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F9kuPOAPPJdk%2F We define Brain Fitness as having the brain-based cognitive, emotional and self-regulation capacities required to succeed in one’s environment. Not everyone is exposed to the same mental demands nor do we all have the same starting points. This means we need to stop looking for ‘magic pills’ and invest more resources in developing toolkits and infrastructure similar to what the physical fitness industry has done over the last 30-40 years. The following question guides much of our work at SharpBrains: “What tools provide the right kind of experience to refine our brains from a structural and functional point of view to harness neuroplasticity into real-world benefits?” We try to provide good information and answers by constantly monitoring and analyzing the state of science and th... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3699606 Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:31:12 +0100 3699606 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683747&cid=t_193780_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FgX2zh7Kynfw%2F The main value of the independent NIH panel mentioned in the previous article comes from the recommendations it makes for research, industry and government to fill the gaps in the scientific evidence in years to come. … In fact, having access to objective, automated assessments to help consumers better monitor their cognitive health and take proactive, informed action is the one part of the brain fitness puzzle that is badly needed. It is estimated that 60% of people with Alzheimer’s Disease go undiagnosed. Most patients today get diagnosed with Alzheimer’s too late and based on tools which are not sensitive enough to pick up on subtle problems in thinking and memory needed to make accurate diagnosis and distinguish among different memory disorders. This often results in having m... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683747 Mon, 21 Jun 2010 12:02:08 +0100 3683747 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3671878&cid=t_193780_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F5h72fX5jzTU%2F In late April 2010, an independent expert panel organized by the NIH released a thoughtful report on the state of the science for prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease and cognitive decline*. The report summarizes the panel’s review of the scientific literature by saying: “Firm conclusions cannot be drawn about the association of modifiable risk factors with cognitive decline or Alzheimer’s disease.” Which was basically reported as “nothing can prevent Alzheimer’s Disease.” Which is very true. And also very different from what most readers may assume it means. Note: You can keep reading the article What the recent NIH Expert Panel on Alzheimer’s Prevention Means – and Doesn’t Mean in the website of the American Society of Aging (article link opens PDF). ASA recently asked... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3671878 Thu, 17 Jun 2010 11:05:39 +0100 3671878 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2458243&cid=t_193780_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F1xndaexWxAA%2F This is a partial list of the literature we reviewed during the research phase of our new book, The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness.  We know many friends of SharpBrains are researchers, healthcare professionals, graduate/ Ph.D. students, who want have direct access to the references (perhaps PubMed should promote itself as a never ending source of mental stimulation?), so here you have this list, organized by relevant chapter. Please note that the list below appears in the book - whose manuscript we had to close in January 2009. Introduction • Basak, C. et al. (2008). Can training in a real-time strategy video game attenuate cognitive decline in older adults? Psychology and Aging. • Begley, S. (2007). Train your mind, change your brain: How a new science reveals our extraordinary ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2458243 Sat, 06 Jun 2009 19:24:20 +0100 2458243 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2447832&cid=t_193780_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F3XvIPyfyaWA%2F Discussion Guide: The goal of our just published book, The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness, is to inform you, but also to open a much needed debate to contribute to our collective brain fitness. We encourage book clubs to read and discuss the book, and suggest 10 questions to kickstart the conversation. Please do send us your answers and impressions! Education & Learning 10% Students may have working memory problems: Why does this matter?: A recent study screened over 3,000 school-aged students in schools in the UK and found that 1 in 10 was identified as having working memory difficulties. Working memory is our ability to store and manipulate information for a brief time, and difficulties in this brain function may lead into difficulties in reading and mathematics. Dr. Tracy Allo... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2447832 Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:53:26 +0100 2447832 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2442119&cid=t_193780_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F-lTjTpRVSkA%2F The Longevity Dividend is a theory that says we hope to intervene scientifically to slow the aging process, which will also delay the onset of age-related diseases. Delaying aging just seven years would slash rates of conditions like cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease in half. That’s the longevity part. The dividend comes from the social, economic, and health bonuses that would then be available to spend on schools, energy, jobs, infrastructure—trillions of dollars that today we spend on healthcare services. In fact, at the rate we’re going, by the year 2020 one out of every $5 spent in this country will be spent on healthcare. Obviously, something has to change. Enter the Longevity Dividend. The Longevity Dividend doesn’t suggest that we live longer; instead... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2442119 Thu, 28 May 2009 03:54:11 +0100 2442119 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2367655&cid=t_193780_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FzBtmD4uGBe8%2F You may be reading all about brain fitness and brain training. It seems every week brings a new barrage of articles and studies which often contradict what you read the month before: Does Gingko Biloba help delay Alzheimer’s Disease? Can physical exercise help you stay sharp as you age? Which computer-based “brain fitness programs”, if any, are worth your money? All this coverage reflects very exciting scientific findings but also poses a key dilemma: How to become an informed lifelong learner and consumer when there are few and contradictory authoritative guidelines? The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness (to be published in May 2009; $24.95) aims to fill that void. This guide is the result of over a year of extensive research including more than a hundred interviews with scientists... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2367655 Fri, 24 Apr 2009 22:19:12 +0100 2367655 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2211917&cid=t_193780_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FmgzGobDdyZs%2F In April 2008, Baycrest, a leading research institute focused on aging and brain function, received $10-million from the Ontario Government to create a groundbreaking Centre for Brain Fitness. Its stated goal was to “develop and commercialize a range of products designed to improve the brain health of aging Ontarians and others around the world”. “Our government is proud to support Baycrest and its invaluable work, which is already leading to the discovery of important new tools and approaches to treating brain diseases associated with aging,” said Minister of Research and Innovation, John Wilkinson. We have Baycrest’s CEO with us today, to explore why Ontario and Baycrest chose to become pioneers in this area, and discuss some of the main opportunities, and challenges. Dr. Will... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2211917 Mon, 23 Feb 2009 22:43:35 +0100 2211917 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2173829&cid=t_193780_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F536195658%2F Welcome to the 8th edition of Hourglass, the blog carnival devoted to biogerontology. Enjoy! --- Use It or Lose It Existence is Wonderful, by Anne C. Neither A Transhumanist Nor a "Pessimist", And That's Okay "I can't survive cognitively in environments that force everything into false dichotomies, and nobody should feel hurt, slighted, or bitter because of my doing what I need to do for the sake of being able to actually use my brain." "Just because I think superlativity tends to distort dialogue and make it difficult to focus on what can actually be done in the real world does not mean I disparage the power of human imagination or our capacity to change things for the better." --- Cognitive Enhancement, Health and Assessments Ouroboros, by Chris Pa... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2173829 Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:00:32 +0100 2173829 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2079030&cid=t_193780_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F492395341%2F Welcome to the 61st edition of Encephalon, the blog carnival that offers some of the best neuroscience and psychology blog posts every other week. We do have an excellent set of articles today. covering much ground. Enjoy the reading: --- Neuroscience and Society Neuroanthropology, by Greg Downey The Flynn Effect: Troubles with Intelligence 2 Average IQ test scores had risen about 3 points per decade and in some cases more. Tests of vocabulary, arithmetic, or general knowledge (such as the sorts of facts one learns in school) have showed little increase, but scores have increased markedly on tests thought to measure ‘general intelligence’. MindHacks, by Vaughan Bell Medical jargon alters our understanding of disease Understanding how popular ideas influence our personal medic... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2079030 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:27:52 +0100 2079030 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1925050&cid=t_193780_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F437438124%2F As mentioned before, the World Economic Forum asked me to write "an 800 words summary of your most compelling actionable idea on the challenges of gerontology", in preparation for the Inaugural Summit of the Global Agenda that will take place November 7 to 9th in Dubai.A good number of SharpBrains readers and clients offered their insights - and expressed an interest in reading the draft. So below you have - a proposal to create a Global Consortium for Neurocognitive Fitness Innovation, building on our existing market research and advisory services work. Your thoughts? ----- The Context Growing Demands on Our Brains: Picture 6.7 billion Primitive Brains inhabiting a Knowledge Society where lifelong learning and mastering constant change in complex environments are critical for pr... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1925050 Thu, 30 Oct 2008 23:21:34 +0100 1925050 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1723968&cid=t_193780_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F370395137%2F In this study (Gazzaley, A.  et al.  2005) the investigators went beyond behavioral assessment of the responses, because that kind of thing had been done before.  What they wanted to know was what was happening in the brain during this suppression of irrelevant task. They used functional magnetic resonance (fMRI) imaging over a region of brain that was responsive to the visual images.  What was being measured was the amount of brain activity under conditions when the instructions were to remember a type of image or ignore it.  What they found was that brain activity in all of the young subjects increased when they were viewing scenes they were asked to remember and decreased when presented with an image that they were supposed to have ignored. That is, the brain suppressed its respons... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1723968 Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:35:42 +0100 1723968 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1643031&cid=t_193780_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F341474581%2F Welcome to Encephalon´s 50th edition, where you will find another superb collection of blog posts on all things Brain and Mind. Enjoy these contributions: Science & Technology Mind Hacks reports that Facebook ate my psychiatrist. We can learn about the benefits of social networking sites like Facebook, bringing great perspective to recent and misguided media speculation (fuelled by a recent talk at the Royal College of Psychiatrists). Vaughan, will you please report on the benefits of participating (and, better, hosting) Encephalon?. Dungeons And Dragons - Or Mazes And Monsters?: PodBlack Cat offers a thought-provoking review of the therapy (including self-therapy) applications of role-playing games such as the classic Dungeons And Dragons and the more recent massively multiplay... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1643031 Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:05:26 +0100 1643031 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1618296&cid=t_193780_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F334940159%2F Two recent announcements bring out how the assessment of cognitive abilities, or brain functions, is solidly incorporating new computerized options: 1) Last week, OptumHealth announced an exclusive 3-year agreement (estimated at $18m) with the Australian company Brain Resource. OptumHealth will be embedding the Brain Resource platform into their overall Behavioral Solutions program. - OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions will work with Brain Resource to provide clinicians with a Web-based assessment that measures general cognition (how people process information) and social cognition (how people manage their emotions). This 40-minute assessment is based on well-known and validated tests of memory, attention, executive function, and response speed, and mood, social skills and emotional resilien... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1618296 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:22:19 +0100 1618296 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1552375&cid=t_193780_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F321044036%2F This article was written by Pascale Michelon, Ph. D., for SharpBrains.com. Dr. Michelon, Copyright 2008. Dr. Michelon has a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology and is a Research Scientist at Washington University in Saint Louis, in the Psychology Department. She conducted several research projects to understand how the brain makes use of visual information and memorizes facts. She is now an Adjunct Faculty at Washington University, and teaches Memory Workshops in numerous retirement communities in the St Louis area. aerobic training, Alzheimer’s disease, brain, Brain health, Brain Imaging, cognitive performance, Cognitive Training, Colcombe and Kramer, executive control, exercise, fitness training, hippocampus, memory, mental exercises, Physical Exercise, Working memory (Source: SharpBrains) SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1552375 Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:46:17 +0100 1552375 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1544539&cid=t_193780_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F319104093%2F A few colleagues referred me over the weekend to a very nice article at business publication Portfolio. While the article does an excellent job at introducing the reader to the concept and promise of computerized cognitive assessments, it also contributes to the mythology of "Brain Age". Let's first take a look at the article How Smart Are You: The business of assessing cognition and memory is moving from testing brain-impaired patients to assessing healthy peoples' brains online. A couple of quotes:  - "Cognitive Drug Research is one a handful of businesses, most of them outside of the U.S., that work with pharmaceutical companies to test how new drugs for everything from nicotine addiction to Alzheimer’s disease affect the mind’s ability to remember things, make deci... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1544539 Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:15:14 +0100 1544539 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1295082&cid=t_193780_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F249622607%2F After many months of work (and we hope many new neurons and stronger synapses in our brains), we have just released our inaugural report on the emerging Brain Fitness Software Market, the first to define the brain fitness software market and analyze the size and trends of its four customer segments. We estimate the size of the US brain fitness software market at $225M in2007, up from $100m in 2005 (50% CAGR). The two segments that fueled the market growth: consumers (grew from $5m to $80m, 300% CAGR) and healthcare & insurance providers (grew from $36m to $65m, 35% CAGR). Highlights from The State of the Brain Fitness Software Market 2008 report include: 1) 2007 was a seminal year for the US Brain Fitness software market, which reached $225 million in revenues – up from an estimated... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1295082 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:36:07 +0100 1295082 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1262089&cid=t_193780_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F242320041%2F This article was co-written by Simon Evans and Paul Burghardt. Drs. Evans and Burghardt currently collaborate in the University of Michigan’s Department of Psychiatry, and the Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute to study the effects of nutrition and exercise on brain function. They host the Brain Fit for Life blog and are collaborating on an upcoming book on the subject. Alzheimer’s disease, anti depressants, behavior modification, brain, brain exercise, Brain games, brain wellness, diabetes, exercise and brain, healthcare, increase productivity, insurance companies, neuroscience, Nutrition, overweight, Paul Burghardt, Physical Exercise, Preventive Medicine, psychiatry, retirement, self enrichment, Simon Evans, sleep, stress management, University of Michigan (Source: Shar... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1262089 Wed, 27 Feb 2008 21:07:27 +0100 1262089 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1249091&cid=t_193780_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F239080938%2F Two interesting company press releases, one yesterday one today, showing how cognitive interventions may be helpful no matter our age, from kids to seniors, as long as we understand what those "tools" are supposed to do and don't expect, or are promised, miracles: Dakim ® , Inc. Secures $10.6 Million Series C Funding Led by Galen Partners - "an innovator in brain fitness technology solutions, today announced the completion of a $10.6 million Series C financing. The round was led by Galen Partners, a leading private equity firm specializing in healthcare investing...Mr. Jahns said, “Dakim has developed an innovative, affordable and practical solution to assist the rapidly aging population maintain their brain health and fight Alzheimer’s disease." ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1249091 Thu, 21 Feb 2008 23:38:06 +0100 1249091 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1246765&cid=t_193780_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F238603070%2F Cognitive training (the basis for what we call "brain fitness" these days) has a wide array of applications. The most recent one, which is capturing public's imagination, monopolizing media coverage, and creating certain confusion, is Healthy Brain Aging. We are fortunate to have Dr. Joshua Steinerman, one of our new Expert Contributors, offer today his great voice to this conversation. Enjoy! --------------------------- Minding the Aging Brain -- By Joshua R. Steinerman, M.D. Scientists, philosophers, artists, and experts from all fields of human endeavor lament: it ain’t easy getting older. It? Do they refer to frailty and disability? To bodily disease? To life at its essence? It’s all in your head The mind is not set in stone, but it is encased by bone. It’s really all a... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1246765 Thu, 21 Feb 2008 06:07:29 +0100 1246765 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1173748&cid=t_193780_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F221904237%2F This article was written by Pascale Michelon, Ph. D., for SharpBrains.com. Dr. Michelon has a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology and has worked as a Research Scientist at Washington University in Saint Louis, in the Psychology Department. She conducted several research projects to understand how the brain makes use of visual information and memorizes facts. She is now an Adjunct Faculty at Washington University, and teaches Memory Workshops in numerous retirement communities in the St Louis area. Alzheimer’s disease, brain, brain damage, brain scans, CAT scans, cognitive brain reserve, cognitive psychology, Education, fit brains, fMRI scans, Functional imaging, healthy brain, higher education, intellectual stimulation, Memory Workshops mental stimulation, MRI scans, museums, neural activity,... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1173748 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:53:52 +0100 1173748 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1098791&cid=t_193780_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2007%2F12%2F16%2Fyoutube-video-suggests-even-young-people-should-have-alzheimer%25e2%2580%2599s-awareness%2F Today while surfing YouTube, I came across an interesting video titled “My Name is Lisa”. This film is about a young girl’s challenges to cope with her mother’s progressing Alzheimer’s disease. The video was a submission to YouTube’s “Project Direct”, a competition for film creators who have “something to say”. I appreciated this video because it seems pretty accurate compared to experiences I’ve had with Alzheimer’s patients and their family members. However, one curious thing about the film was the age of the child in the video. I suppose that as women are having children later in life, it’s possible that children as young as the girl depicted in this video would have to deal with their primary caregiver suffering from something as dynamic as Alzheimer�... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1098791 Mon, 17 Dec 2007 02:00:28 +0100 1098791 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=513005&cid=t_193780_137_f&fid=35371&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthecaregiver.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F03%2F2007-alzheimers-disease-facts-and.html The links below will take you to the factsheets and full report published by the Alzheimer's Association.Quote Sheet (2 pages)FactSheet (2 pages)2007 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures (28 pages)The CareGiver Blog Robert T DeMarcoThe Alzheimer's Reading Room AllAmerican Senior Care Weblog Senior CareElder CareCareGiver Alzheimer’sDementia CareGiverHealth and wellnessWeblog (Source: CareGiver, The) CareGiver, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=513005 Tue, 20 Mar 2007 22:30:00 +0100 513005 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=513004&cid=t_193780_137_f&fid=35371&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthecaregiver.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F03%2Falzheimers-disease-rate-rises-to-more.html Someone Develops Alzheimer's Every 72 Seconds....More Than Five Million in the United States now have Alzheimer's.The Alzheimer’s Association today reports that in 2007 there are now more than 5 million people in the United States living with Alzheimer’s disease. This number includes 4.9 million people over the age of 65 and between 200,000 and 500,000 people under age 65 with early onset Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.Read more about this topic at The Alzheimer's Reading Room (Source: CareGiver, The) CareGiver, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=513004 Tue, 20 Mar 2007 21:23:00 +0100 513004