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 'brain exercise'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:51:00 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911664&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2Fr6MhbcUATqg%2F Let us highlight a couple of insightful and brief articles in the New York Times and a very powerful analysis in The New York Review of Books; they provide useful clues about Brain Calisthenics, Bilingual Brains, and Debunking Myths on Mental Illness. Brain Calisthenics for Abstract Ideas (NYT): Now, a small group of cognitive scientists is arguing that schools and students could take far more advantage of this same bottom-up ability, called perceptual learning. The brain is a pattern-recognition machine, after all, and when focused properly, it can quickly deepen a person’s grasp of a principle, new studies suggest. The challenge for education, Dr. Kellman added, “is what do we need to do to make this happen efficiently?” Experts develop such sensitive perceptual radar the old-fashi... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911664 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:12:58 +0100 4911664 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841736&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F5QrUzR8vQNE%2F Laughing feels good. Laughing is indeed good in most cases. A good belly laugh amounts to an aerobic exercise as your blood pressure and heart rate increase, your breathing changes and your diaphragm contracts. Laughing has also been shown to boost the immune system and reduce stress. Laughing is thus good for your brain! Here are two fun ways to take a further look at laughter and the brain : Listen to these laughs and decide whether it is a human or a computer laughing. Try this to find out how much you are stressed. You may be surprised… Enjoy! (Source: SharpBrains) SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841736 Tue, 17 May 2011 18:59:52 +0100 4841736 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4183341&cid=t_153024_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F11%2F19%2Fyour-brain-on-exercise%2F It is quite common to read about, or hear exercise enthusiasts explain the benefits that exercise has on the heart, muscles, lungs, connective tissue, and so on. But, I have rarely heard mention of how exercise improves brain health.  Although, there is plenty of evidence showing that exercise is beneficial to the brain. Exercise improves memory and learning in humans and animals.  Exercising individuals might be less susceptible to loss of cognitive functioning associated with aging or neurodegenarative disease.  One of the key mechanisms underlying these effects on the brain is neuronal growth in the hippocampus — an area of the brain important for cognition (Kobilo, et al., 2010). In an article published in Trends in Neurosciences (2009), H. Van Pragg made the following commen... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4183341 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 18:08:35 +0100 4183341 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4060951&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FIL5VZhBPfec%2F An article in the Wall Street Journal today, Building a More Resilient Brain, reviews the work of Dr. Bialystok and her colleagues on the benefits that bilingualism brings to the brain. Another great example of neuroplasticity. … over time, regularly speaking more than one language appears to strengthen skills that boost the brain’s so-called cognitive reserve, a capacity to work even when stressed or damaged. This build-up of cognitive reserve appears to help bilingual people as they age. … the process of speaking two or more languages appears to enable people to develop skills to better cope with the early symptoms of memory-robbing diseases, including Alzheimer’s. […] the advantages of bilingualism are thought to be related to a brain function known as inhibitory or cognitive ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4060951 Tue, 12 Oct 2010 18:22:46 +0100 4060951 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3907690&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F2Ucn0GO8ZUs%2F How often do you listen to the office gossip while filling in forms? Or read a document while talking on the phone with a client? Or think about your problems at work while helping your child with his homework? We are constantly assaulted by lots of information and often required to perform several tasks at once. It is not easy to stay focused. However being able to stay focused is crucial to achieve success. Indeed, if you are listening to the office gossip while filling in forms, you will probably make mistakes. If you try to read a document while talking on the phone with a client, you will probably sound distant and uninterested to your client and may not get the contract you expected to get. If you think about your problems at work while helping your child with his homework, you will ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3907690 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:28:11 +0100 3907690 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3737140&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FuKpYLNAv230%2F This study supports another one we commented on a few years ago on how Bilingual brains stay sharp longer: “In short: learning and speaking a foreign language provides constant brain exercise to the frontal lobes, the area of the brain right behind your forehead that focuses our attention, helps us ignore distractions, and make decisions.” (Source: SharpBrains) SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3737140 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:01:20 +0100 3737140 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3026803&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FgvV--UhpunI%2F What a better opening for our January SharpBrains Summit than to have Marian C. Diamond, one of the pioneers of neuroplasticity research since the 1960s, introduce us to the human brain, its anatomy and function, and implications from neuroplasticity for brain health and performance at any age. Marian C. Diamond, Ph.D., is Professor of Neuroscience and Anatomy at UC-Berkeley  and one of the world’s foremost researchers on neuroplasticity and enrichment since the 1960s . She is author of more than 100 scientific articles and three books, including Enriching Heredity (Free Press/Simon and Schuster, 1988) and The Magic Trees of the Mind (Plume, 1999). In particular, she is interested in studying the effects of the external environment, aging, and immune responses on the cerebral neocor... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3026803 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:59:33 +0100 3026803 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2367655&cid=t_153024_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=2320463&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FDJUyXt6ocL8%2F Learning can be incidental. We all memorize facts without paying much attention to these facts or without willing to memorize them. However, when one really wants to memorize a fact, it is crucial to pay attention. Many studies have shown that compared to full attention conditions, dividing attention during study time leads to poor memory performance. This exercise will help you practice focusing your attention. It may seem easy but make sure you count twice! Count the number of “Y” in this text: Yesterday, Lucy went all the way to Boston. She wanted to buy new shoes. She had to go in many shops before she found the shoes she wanted. She was happy to stop at a restaurant to have some tea and cookies before she took the train back home. Count the number of “E” in this text: Last sum... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2320463 Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:19:54 +0100 2320463 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2217627&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FgAFeyCIEMYo%2F CONCLUSIONS What those 2 recent studies say and imply • Cognitive training can help healthy adults improve specific cognitive skills, and improvements seem to last longer than the training itself (Willis et al., 2006; Smith et al., 2009). • Cognitive training can help adults in the early stages of cognitive impairment and dementia improve some cognitive skills (Sitzer et al, 2006) • One needs to make informed decisions. SharpBrains' Evaluation Checklist may prove useful. What neither study says or implies • Whether cognitive training can postpone the emergence of dementia: More long-term studies are needed. (We know that mentally stimulating activities can help build a Cognitive Reserve and delay symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease, but that evidence is not based on randomized clini... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2217627 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:21:56 +0100 2217627 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2173830&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F536056048%2F Study Questions Effectiveness Of $80 Million Per Year 'Brain Exercise Products Industry for Elderly (Science Daily) - "There is much research on the benefits of cognitive rehabilitation strategies among elderly who already experience mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer's disease, as well as on the positive impact of physical exercise. The researchers, however, wanted to evaluate current research that would focus on the impact of cognitive interventions in the healthy elderly population." - "...they concluded that there was no evidence indicating that structured cognitive intervention programs had an impact on the progression of dementia in the healthy elderly population" Comment:  we have not reviewed the analysis yet, so cannot comment in depth. However, just... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2173830 Tue, 10 Feb 2009 01:10:15 +0100 2173830 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2036115&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F482872906%2F In this study, we examined whether playing strategy-based video game can train those executive functions and improve them. We showed that playing a strategy-based videogame (Rise of Nations Gold Edition) can result in not only becoming a better videogame player but it transferred to untrained executive functions. We saw a significant improvement in task switching, working memory, visual short-term memory, and mental rotation. And some, but more limited, benefits in inhibition and reasoning. I can share a few details on the study: the average age was 69 years, and the experiment required around 23 hours of training time. We only included individuals who had played videogames 0 hours/ week for the last 2 years. That last criteria is interesting. We typically say that good “brain exercise�... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2036115 Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:24:58 +0100 2036115 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2022186&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F476789893%2F A few weeks ago I had the pleasure to give a talk to one hundred or so staff members at New York Public Library. As you would expect, it was a very stimulating group, and one of the participants, Brigid Cahalan, just wrote a fun blog post on her impressions from the event: Brain Fitness at New York Public Library: - "After attending a recent staff training session offered by the library's Office of Staff Development, I decided to return to a habit of my childhood--eating sardines." - key pillars for brain health ...are... "1) A balanced diet; 2) Cardiovascular physical exercise; 3) Stress management; and 4) Brain exercise: Novelty, Variety, Challenge (as long as it doesn't stress us out)." Read full article: here. Comment: A very interesting trend of observe - the growi... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2022186 Sat, 06 Dec 2008 17:30:13 +0100 2022186 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1915410&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F433602787%2F You may have already seen that our Teasers section contains not only our selection of Top 50 Brain Teasers and Games, but also a regularly updated page with latest Games for the Brain. Below you have the brain games and teasers we have added in 2008 so far. Ready? - October 2008: Top Brainy Haikus. Yours?. - September 2008: What is going on with these pictures?. - September 2008: 7 Brainteasers for Job Interviews. - August 2008: Can you use mental self rotation to read a map?. - August 2008: Spot the Differences! how many are there?. - July 2008: Top 25 Brain and Mind Haikus. Yours?. - June 2008: Consider Linda's job prospects. - June 2008: Spot the Difference for a frontal/ occipital/ parietal workout - May 2008. Word game: stimulate your temporal lobe. - April 2008. Your Haiku, Please... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1915410 Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:03:35 +0100 1915410 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1853992&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F411408487%2F Thank you to everyone who has written so many fun haikus over the summer (following the post Top 25 Brain and Mind Haikus. Yours?). These are the 10 I have enjoyed the most: (Also, Can you write a haiku describing anything crossing your mind now? Remember the simple rules: write 3 lines, which don't need to rhyme, containing 5,7, and 5 syllables. You can leave your haiku as a comment below for extra points...) ----- Top 10 Brainy Haikus - enjoy! - Amit: Love, college, career. A new world of transitions. Will I survive? Yes. - Kathy: My release technique, Forgive, forget, love all, Meditate on that! - Alan: Through the microscope, slice of brain stains pink and blue, the wonder of thought. - Justin: Justin the genieus Must spell check the word genius to post this Haiku - Tim: writing quick... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1853992 Sat, 04 Oct 2008 22:02:25 +0100 1853992 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1791846&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F391862901%2F Today we introduce a  highly evolved version of brain teasers. How quickly can you provide the correct answer to these 3 questions? - 1) What is going on in these 2 pictures? - 2) what may explain it? - 3) Is there some element out of place? Ready. Set. Go! Please post your answers and time below. If you need to check the answer right now...you can watch this 2-minute video (with sound) Here. Here you have more brain teasers. Enjoy the weekend! brain exercise, Brain exercises, Brain games, brain teaser games, Brain teasers, brain teasing games, free brain teasers, games for the brain, mind teasers, online brain games, pranks addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sharpbrains.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F09%2F13%2Fgames-for-the-brain%2F'; addthis_title = 'Games+for+the+Brain'; addthis_pub = 'sharp... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1791846 Sat, 13 Sep 2008 23:28:33 +0100 1791846 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1747361&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F378197185%2F Here you have the twice-a-month newsletter with our most popular blog posts. Please remember that you can subscribe to receive this Newsletter by email, simply by submitting your email at the top of this page. Major Implications from Brain Research Should Social-Emotional Learning Be Part of Academic Curriculum?: It is clear by now that our brains are more than cognitive machines. For example, emotions can either enhance or inhibit our ability to learn. Daniel Goleman explores the implications of "new studies that reveal how teaching kids to be emotionally and socially competent boost their academic achievement." Brought to you in partnership with Greater Good Magazine. Retain older workers beyond retirement: BusinessWeek covers a best practice in a topic of growing importance: ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1747361 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:07:55 +0100 1747361 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1710228&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F365747416%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 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. You may enjoy these other teasers by Dr. Michelon: - Spot the Difference - Word game - Boost your visuospatial skills - Words in your brain And our Top 50 Brain Teasers collection. brain, Brain games, brain teaser, cognitive ability, cognitive exercise, egocentric, free b... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1710228 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:20:14 +0100 1710228 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1701779&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F363198200%2F Good article in the Washington Post today:  Is It Really Smart to Teach Old Brains New Tricks? The reporter presents a good overview of what is happening, but framed around a highly artificial choice for consumers: either you a) do physical exercise, or b) take part in social interactions, or c) engage in mental exercise. What about switching off those TVs and having time for all a, b, c, and more? Research does not support a "general solution" to cognitive health but a multi-pronged one, featuring a good nutrition, stress management, and both physical and mental exercise. Each individual presents different contexts and priorities: for example, while research has shown how doing zero weekly aerobic exercise can translate into lower cognitive functioning, it does not support t... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1701779 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:56:34 +0100 1701779 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1701780&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F363005439%2F Dr. Pascale Michelon recently shared with our readers which brain areas and cognitive functions are engaged as we solve the type of brain teaser known as Spot the Difference, where we have to find the differences between two versions of one image: "1) You have to identify the objects that you see: this involves your occipital lobes (in red). 2) You have to analyzed the spatial relationships between the objects that you see: this involves your occipital and parietal lobes (in green). 3) You have to remember what you see in one picture and compare it to what you see in the other picture, that is you have to use your short-term memory: this involves your frontal (in blue) and parietal lobes. 4) You have to mark down the locations where you see a difference: this involves mostly yo... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1701780 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:08:57 +0100 1701780 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1655935&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F346452488%2F Readers have contributed a good number of haikus on brain-related topics. Below you have my  Favorite 7, and many other fun ones...which ones do you like the most? Also, Can you write a haiku describing anything crossing your mind now? Remember the simple rules: write 3 lines, which don't need to rhyme, containing 5,7, and 5 syllables. You can leave your haiku as a comment for extra points... My Favorite 7 Brain and Mind Haikus - Techne, the philosopher, wonders: Solve the big questions: How do I know when I know? Who knows the knower? - Steve, the environmentalist, requests: Neuroplastic good. Plastic, though lasts forever. Always recycle! - GTB, the skeptic, says Haiku's are easy But sometimes they don't make sense Refrigerator - Millie, the spiritual, suggests: Playing music feeds m... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1655935 Sat, 26 Jul 2008 08:47:01 +0100 1655935 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1564699&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F325439001%2F We are fans of the Brain Science Podcast series hosted by Ginger Campbell, so are pleased to announce that Dr. Campbell will start offering to SharpBrains readers, periodically, the highlights of her most interesting podcasts. Below, her first post. Enjoy! -----------  In a recent interview on the Brain Science Podcast, Dr. John Medina, author of Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School shared some of the practical implications of recent neuroscience research. We talked about the importance of exercise and sleep and we discussed why appreciating how our memory and attention systems really work could change how we run schools, businesses, and even our daily lives. For example, while adequate sleep is generally acknowledged to be essential to optimal... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1564699 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:54:10 +0100 1564699 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1561642&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F324128976%2F Here you are have the twice-a-month newsletter with our most popular blog posts. Please remember that you can subscribe to receive this Newsletter by email, simply by submitting your email at the top of this page. News CNN: Aging boomers fuel 'brain fitness' explosion: An excellent article via Associated Press exploring why the brain fitness market passed a tipping point in 2007 and predicting future trends building on our market report. Brain Age: Great Game, Wrong Concept: One reason why we believe the field will keep growing is because we are seeing more tools available than ever before to assess and train a variety of cognitive skills. The bad news (is this really news?) is that we shouldn't be expecting magic pills and that "brain age" is a fiction. Why a Walking Book Clu... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1561642 Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:06:58 +0100 1561642 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1482807&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F302103049%2F Zack Lynch asks for support to Write Congress Today in Support of the National Neurotechnology Initiative Act, explaining:   "With the recent introduction of the National Neurotechnology Initiative (NNTI) Act in the House (H.R. 5989) and the Senate (S.2989) earlier this month, the time has come to ramp up a national grassroots campaign in support of the NNTI and I would like to ask for your help. It is imperative that we get a substantive amount of Congressional support as quickly as possible as we are targeting Congressional hearings prior to the August break. Take action: We need to flood Congressional fax machines and mail boxes with individual letters of support from key constituents like you over the next four weeks. I urge you to visit NIO's Take Action webpage. Here you can do... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1482807 Sun, 01 Jun 2008 01:05:40 +0100 1482807 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1481146&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F301607877%2F In conclusion, it looks like one can use training to boost one’s fluid intelligence," says Dr. Pascale Michelon, based on a recent study. Education and Training Try Thinking and Learning Without Working Memory: Quick! Can you recite backwards the 7 digits of your phone number? Bill Klemm answers some key questions on thinking and working memory, in one of the most insightful articles on the subject we have seen. Health and Wellness Manage Stress for Your Brain Health: Insightful essay on stress management and brain health written by Landon, as part of one of our student essay contests. Study: Meditation Against ADHD: In order to fight attention deficits...does it make sense to develop the "mental muscles" to pay attention? Take a quick look at the topic, posted at th... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1481146 Sat, 31 May 2008 02:01:22 +0100 1481146 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1427209&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F285139564%2F Today I had a great conversation with Martin Buschkuehl, one of the U Michigan researchers involved in the cognitive training study that has received much media attention since early last week, when the study was published at the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. I will publish the interview notes next week. For the moment, let me paraphrase his answer to the question: "Why are computerized programs like the one you used fundamentally different from, say, simply doing many crossword puzzles?". His answer was that for 3 reasons: Adaptive: The constant adaptability of the challenge level, thanks to real-time assessments. The person using the program is truly pushed to his or her peak level all the time, thereby "stretching" the targeted ability. Complex... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1427209 Wed, 07 May 2008 05:15:02 +0100 1427209 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1397919&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F277280044%2F We concluded our Top 50 Brain Teasers post with the challenge: #50. Can you write a haiku describing your experience doing some of the previous teasers? The simple rules: write 3 lines, which don't need to rhyme, containing 5,7, and 5 syllables. There were a number of great and fun takers...you can enjoy their haikus below.  Let's now change the theme: Can you write a haiku describing what problem you would like to see brain research solve? Remember the simple rules: write 3 lines, which don't need to rhyme, containing 5,7, and 5 syllables. You can leave your haiku as a comment for extra points... Previous haikus on brain exercise: - My favorite, by GTB: Haiku's are easy But sometimes they don't make sense Refrigerator - A close second...Mark says: I thought I did well Then I review... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1397919 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 04:16:18 +0100 1397919 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1389520&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F275134691%2F Great article in the UK's Sunday Times yesterday: Pump up those little grey cells, listing a variety of free or inexpensive brain health-related resources. We are honored (even honoured, I'd dare say) that they started the list with our complimentary Brain Fitness 101 e-Guide: - "The science behind some of the more outlandish claims for computer games that are supposed to improve your cognitive powers, is a matter of debate. However, you don’t need to pay £20 to give a game a try. The internet features a host of websites that can stretch your imagination and improve your mental prowess in a range of skills. Some are expensive rip-offs, but many are free, as our guide to the best of them shows." - "Begin by downloading the Brain Fitness 101 e-guide by Sharp Brains, availa... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1389520 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:19:05 +0100 1389520 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1344975&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F262431171%2F Salon.com published yesterday a thought-provoking article focused on Posit Science's Brain Fitness Program, titled Buff Up Your Brain, that combined a) some pretty good analysis and great points about that specific program and justifiable (to a point) criticism of the commercial tone of a recent PBS Special, with b) the error of confusing a tree with the forest, that led the author to make several unwarranted claims regarding the field. Computerized cognitive training has been around since way before Posit Science, and will be here way beyond Posit Science (and SharpBrains, and Salon.com), and their auditory processing product-featured in the PBS Special- is not, in our view, the most particularly impressive example. Well-directed cognitive exercise can enhance mental skills and transfer... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1344975 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:51:39 +0100 1344975 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1320618&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F255791637%2F This report is a must have for those in the brain health industry. Finally, an easy to use objective resource organizing the flurry of global brain health activities. The State of the Brain Fitness Software Market report not only tells the story of cognitive training and brain fitness, but provides a broad range of data allowing one to more swiftly navigate the current terrain and future landscape." -- Debra Raybold, Director, Brain Health Center, Memorial Hospital Health System, South Bend, Indiana. "This report is comprehensive to say the least. It provides an essential service for long term care organizations who want to provide mind-enhancing programs and services. There is a bewildering array of technology currently available. Few, if any, of us have the resources or experti... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1320618 Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:42:19 +0100 1320618 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1306115&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F252551054%2F This report defines the emerging brain fitness software market and analyzes the size and trends of its four customer segments. For top 10 highlights and to purchase the report at a 10% discount (before March 20th) click here: Report: The State of the Brain Fitness Software Market 2008 Brain Fitness News and Events NEWS FEATURE-Brain fitness seen as hot industry of the future (Reuters 03/12): The most comprehensive article we have seen so far covering this emerging field, based on our market report and with original reporting. Highly recommended read. Brain, Education and Health events: two great upcoming events. Learning & The Brain (April 26-29, 2008. Cambridge, MA) and Brain Health Accross the Lifespan (May 15th, 2008. San Francisco, CA). Hack your brain (NetworkWorld 03/05): ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1306115 Sun, 16 Mar 2008 17:58:25 +0100 1306115 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1292436&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F249262790%2F Dr. Adrian Preda, our newest Expert Contributor, writes today the first in a series of thought-provoking articles, challenging us to think about physical exercise as the best and most unappreciated form of "brain exercise". A superb article. And one thing is clear, he points out: "the brain really likes it when it’s asked to be “active”. Passive audiences, which are spoon fed information, score less well when tested on retention and understanding of the presented material than audiences that were kept engaged through the process." So, will you write a comment below and contribute to an engaging conversation? Thoughts? reactions? questions? ------------------------- Don’t ignore plain old common sense. Brain Lessons Part 1 -- By Adrian Preda, M.D. Let me start wi... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1292436 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 03:44:58 +0100 1292436 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1287990&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F247724602%2F A quick teaser: Imagine you are one of 120 people in a room. Each person in the room is given two lengths of rope and told to chose two of his or her four rope-ends at random and to tie them together. Then each person is told to tie the remaining two rope-ends together. Then, we count up the loops of rope. How many should there be? SOLUTION: When each person prepares to choose his second rope-end, we note that one of the available three rope-ends is the other end of the rope he is holding, and the other two are from the other length of rope. He is equally likely to pick any of these three rope-ends, so there is a one-in-three chance that he will create a loop at this time, and a two-in-three chance that he will instead simply join two ropes into one. He'll be left with one rope (plus possi... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1287990 Sat, 08 Mar 2008 04:00:58 +0100 1287990 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1270845&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F243943554%2F Here you are have the bi-monthly Digest of our 10 most Popular blog posts. (Also, remember that you can subscribe to receive our blog RSS feed, or to our newsletter at the top of this page if you want to receive this digest by email). First, an announcement: March 10-16th is Brain Awareness Week, an international effort organized by the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives to advance public awareness about the progress and benefits of brain research. Join the hundreds of activities worldwide by visiting the International Calendar of events, or the week's main website. Brain Fitness in the News Cognitive Health and Training News: round-up of stimulating news, from Dakim raising over $10 million dollars to grow their retirement community offerings, to the full video of our 90-minute panel ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1270845 Sat, 01 Mar 2008 17:17:16 +0100 1270845 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1262089&cid=t_153024_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=1259003&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F241615678%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.   --------------- If you are interested in learning more: - Recommended Books on Brain and Mind - Build Your Cognitive Reserve, an Interview with Yaakov Stern - The Art of Changing the Brain, an Interview with James Zull abstract information, bilingual brain, brain exercise, Brain exercises, brain hea... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1259003 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:25:35 +0100 1259003 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1250600&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F239188305%2F Physical fitness. Cognitive/ brain fitness. Both require novelty, variety and challenge. Professor Schlomo Breznitz, a scientific and business leader in the cognitive fitness field, explains why, eloquently, below. Perhaps "we want change" really means "we need change". Enjoy! ------------------------ Why are everyday life challenges not sufficient to keep our brains fit? -- By Prof. Shlomo Breznitz Often, when describing the benefits of MindFit to brain health, I am asked by people in the audience whether this software is really needed. After all, so they argue, life provides continues cognitive challenges, which should suffice for ensuring brain fitness. From the moment we wake up until we go to sleep our brains have to attend to complex stimuli, plan many activities,... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1250600 Fri, 22 Feb 2008 14:26:43 +0100 1250600 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1249090&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F239188305%2F Physical fitness. Cognitive/ brain fitness. Both require novelty, variety and challenge. Professor Schlomo Breznitz, a scientific and business leader in the cognitive fitness field, explains why, eloquently, below. Perhaps "we want change" really means "we need change". Enjoy! ------------------------ Why are everyday life challenges not sufficient to keep our brains fit? -- By Prof. Shlomo Breznitz Often, when describing the benefits of MindFit to brain health, I am asked by people in the audience whether this software is really needed. After all, so they argue, life provides continues cognitive challenges, which should suffice for ensuring brain fitness. From the moment we wake up until we go to sleep our brains have to attend to complex stimuli, plan many activities,... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1249090 Fri, 22 Feb 2008 05:23:57 +0100 1249090 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1237220&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F236169430%2F We presented SharpBrains' upcoming report, The State of the Brain Fitness Software Market 2008, on Tuesday Feb 12th at an event sponsored by the MIT Club of Northern California, the American Society on Aging, and SmartSilvers. Health & Wellness Stress and Neural Wreckage: Part of the Brain Plasticity Puzzle: an insightful article by one of our new Expert Contributors, Gregory Kellet-a researcher at UCSF- who provides context on how stress kills neurons. Closing the Circuit: Helen Mayberg's research could revolutionize depression treatment: accumulated chronic stress can build into depression over time. Thanks to our collaboration with Greater Good Magazine, Jill Suttie offers a fascinating overview of depression and a promising new treatment. Posit Science Brain Fitness Program 2.0... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1237220 Sat, 16 Feb 2008 19:10:34 +0100 1237220 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1220147&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F232227369%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.     Solutions 1. LOCK – PIANO > KEY 2. SHIP – CARD > Deck 3. TREE – CAR > Trunk 4. SCHOOL – EYE > Pupil (Exam and Private are also possible) 5. PILLOW – COURT > Case 6. RIVER – MONEY > Bank (Flow is also possible) 7. BED – PAPER > Sheet 8. ARMY – WATER > Tank 9. TENNIS – NOISE... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1220147 Sat, 09 Feb 2008 16:14:07 +0100 1220147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1147157&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F215632839%2F Last week, the US Car Care Council released a list of tips on how to take care of your car and “save big money at the pump in 2008.” You may not have paid much attention to this announcement. Yes, it’s important to save gas these days; but, it’s not big news that good maintenance habits will improve the performance of a car, and extend its life. If we can all agree on the importance of maintaining our cars that get us around town, what about maintaining our brains sitting behind the wheel? A spate of recent news coverage on brain fitness and “brain training” has missed an important constituency: younger people. Recent advancements in brain science have as tremendous implications for teenagers and adults of all ages as they do for seniors. In a recent conversation with neuroscie... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1147157 Fri, 11 Jan 2008 17:27:18 +0100 1147157 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1117933&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F206580260%2F CONCLUSIONS: "Intellectually demanding work was associated with greater benefit to cognitive performance in later life independent of related factors like education and intelligence. The fact that individuals with lower intellectual aptitude demonstrated a stronger positive association between work and higher cognitive performance during retirement suggests that behavior may enhance intellectual reserve, perhaps even years after peak intellectual activity." This is consistent with the Cognitive Reserve theory we discussed in the interview with neuroscientist Yaakov Stern: - AF (Alvaro Fernandez): OK, so our goal is to build that Reserve of neurons, synapses, and skills. How can we do that? What defines "mentally stimulating activities" or good "brain exercise&quot... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1117933 Thu, 27 Dec 2007 01:26:39 +0100 1117933 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1097359&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F200812895%2F Neuroplasticity is defined as "the ability of the brain to rewire itself through experience".  We typically summarize a lot of brain research by encouraging SharpBrains readers is to seek for novelty, variety and challenge, as guidelines for "brain exercise" that will help build new connections in the brain, force one to be mindful and pay attention, improve abilities such as pattern-recognition, and in general contribute to lifelong brain health. A friend just sent an update on her amazing experience in Namibia (the pic on the right shows the entrance to the University of Namibia) that shows how Travel and Engagement with meaningful projects can provide superb mental stimulation, or "brain exercise". This is relevant at all ages, and we are encouraged to ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1097359 Sun, 16 Dec 2007 01:49:28 +0100 1097359 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1084654&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F198090188%2F The holidays are approaching and you can expect many software and game developers to advertise their products aggressively, trying to get you buy their "brain training" products for you or as a gift for a loved one. The good news is that there are more and more tools we can use to keep mentally stimulated and even train and improve specific cognitive abilities (like processing speed, short-term memory...). You may be reading about Nintendo Brain Age, Posit Science, MindFit, Lumosity, Happy Neuron, MyBrainTrainer, emWave, StressEraser and more. And, of course, there are also non-technology based interventions. The bad news is that it is difficult to separate marketing from scientific claims, and to understand which one, if any, may be a good complement to other healthy lifestyle... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1084654 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 20:06:52 +0100 1084654 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1063152&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F193174916%2F Here you are have the Monthly Digest of our Most Popular Blog Posts. You can consider it your monthly Brain Exercise Magazine. (Also, remember that you can subscribe to receive our RSS feed, check our Topics section, and subscribe to our monthly newsletter at the top of this page if you want to receive this Digest by email).  Gratitude is a very important emotion to cultivate, as Professor Robert Emmons tells us in this interview, based on his last book. Please take some time to read it, and to find at least one thing you are thankful for-it will be good for your health. We are grateful about a very stimulating November: Brain Fitness Market News 10 Neurotechnology Trends: a leading industry organization released their Top 10 NeuroTrends for 2007, and brain fitness matters appeared in... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1063152 Fri, 30 Nov 2007 22:25:40 +0100 1063152 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1055114&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F191467592%2F Just wanted to let you know that we have created this new Teasers section to serve as a repository of the best Mind and Brain Games we offer through the blog. If you need to quickly exercise your brain after Thanksgiving holiday...you can go ahead and find a selection of 50 Brain Teasers. Enjoy! Visit: Teasers section adults, brain exercise, Brain games, Brain teasers, Education addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sharpbrains.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F11%2F27%2Fmind-and-brain-games-for-adults%2F'; addthis_title = 'Mind+and+Brain+Games+for+adults'; addthis_pub = 'sharpbrains'; (Source: SharpBrains) SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1055114 Tue, 27 Nov 2007 20:40:36 +0100 1055114 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1049143&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F190389643%2F Who has not heard "Use It or Lose It". Now, what is "It"? Last week I gave a talk at the Italian Consulate in San Francisco, and one of the areas attendants seemed to enjoy the most was learning what our brains are and how they work, peaking into the "black box" of our minds. Without understanding at least the basics, how can we make good decisions about our own brain health and fitness? Let's review at a glance: The brain is composed of 3 "brains" or main sub-systems, each named after the evolutionary moment in which the sub-system is believed to have appeared. A) Neocortex, or Human Brain, is the most recent area, where we perform high-level thinking and complex integrative tasks. Other mammals do have this part too, but in smaller proportion of... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1049143 Sun, 25 Nov 2007 21:30:12 +0100 1049143 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1015281&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F181772551%2F The New York Times just published an OpEd that, in my view, throws the baby with the bath water. Exercise on the Brain extols the virtue of physical exercise for brain health, above everything else, at the expense of other important pillars such as good nutrition, stress management and mental exercise. And yes, the latter can include computer-based programs. We have sent a Letter to the Editor to clarify the subject and put their main recommendation (go out and walk, or join the gym, as if no one does that) in better context. But let's quickly review the four essential pillars to help maintain a healthy brain. Those pillars are: Physical Exercise Mental Exercise Good Nutrition Stress Management 1. Physical Exercise - Start by talking to your doctor, especially if you are not current... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1015281 Fri, 09 Nov 2007 00:24:36 +0100 1015281 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=999686&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F178555231%2F Following our September edition, here you are have our Monthly Digest of the Most Popular Blog Posts. You can consider it your monthly Brain Exercise Magazine. (Also, remember that you can subscribe to receive our RSS feed, check our Topics section, and subscribe to our monthly newsletter at the top of this page if you want to receive this Digest by email). October has been a very important month for the brain/ cognitive fitness field and for SharpBrains. Key publications such as the Los Angeles Times and Harvard Business Review have devoted considerable attention to the field. I have spoken in a variety of events and topics, from healthy aging (ASA) to the future of work (Institute for the Future). We see the topic appear in more and more education-related conferences, too. The class a... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=999686 Fri, 02 Nov 2007 04:10:54 +0100 999686 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=987378&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F176509862%2F We had a very fun session titled Teaching Brain Fitness in Your Community at an American Society on Aging (ASA) conference for health professionals a couple of weeks ago. Full house, with over 60 attendants and very good participation, showing great interest in the topic. I can't wait to see the evaluations. These are some of the resources I promised as a follow-up, which can be useful to everyone interested in our field: Good general articles in the business and general media: Change or Die Want a sharp mind for your golden years? Start now You’re Wiser Now On how new neurons are born and grow in the adult brain: Salk Scientists Demonstrate For The First Time That Newly Born Brain Cells Are Functional In The Adult Brain Old Brains, New Tricks On the surprising plasticity and developm... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=987378 Mon, 29 Oct 2007 05:24:34 +0100 987378 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=966548&cid=t_153024_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F168801838%2F Very intense week, and very fun. I will be writing more about this week's 3 speaking events, but let me say now that our key messages 1) our brains remain flexible during our lifetimes, 2) we can refine our brains with targeted practice, 3) good brain exercise, or "mental cross-training", requires novelty, variety, and increasing level of challenge (but without creating too much stress), are being very well accepted from both healthy aging and workplace productivity points of view. We have ONE brain: health and productivity are 2 sides of the same coin. If you want to make sure we learn more about our brains, you can help fellow blogger Shelley Batts get a college scholarship by voting here. She has a great neuroscience blog, is now finalist in a competition to win a nice sch... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=966548 Fri, 12 Oct 2007 06:43:59 +0100 966548 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=811305&cid=t_153024_109_f&fid=35677&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBrainBasedBusiness%2F%7E3%2F146307752%2Frun_the_stairs_to_grow_new_bra.html Whenever I travel for busy brain based leadership conferences … exercise takes a back seat and so I run stairs rather than ride elevators to my hotel room. Four or five times up and down may not be as much fun as a good golf round … but amazingly … these two exercise routines work in similar ways. Both regrow brain.  How so? Today Brandon Keim – over at Wired Science reminds us of literature on neurogenesis - the regenerative powers of the brain -  through exercise. Scientists denied for decades the ability of a human brain to grow … After conducting maze tests, the neuroscientist Fred H. Gage and his colleagues examined brain samples from the mice. Conventional wisdom had long held that animal (and human) brains weren’t malleable: aft... BrainBasedBusiness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=811305 Tue, 21 Aug 2007 01:07:09 +0100 811305