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 health'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:04:02 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5182066&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FcHHww-Xin4g%2F (Editor’s note: Pathways responsible for higher-order thinking in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), or executive center of the brain, remain vulnerable throughout life—during critical early-life developmental windows, when the PFC fully matures in the early 20s, and finally from declines associated with old age. At all ages, physical activity and PFC-navigated social connections are essential components to maintaining brain health. The Experience Corps, a community-based social-engagement program, partners seniors with local schools to promote purpose-driven involvement. Participating seniors have exhibited immediate short-term gains in brain regions vulnerable to aging, such as the PFC, indicating that people with the most to lose have the most to gain from environmental enrichment.) Over ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5182066 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 14:18:19 +0100 5182066 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159439&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2Fo71YDxEQEUA%2F We just noticed that the Alliance for Aging Research offers an excellent list of references on Brain Health Research, organized in these 10 sections below. Enjoy! #1 Nourish Your Noggin: Eat a Brain Healthy Diet #2 Use It or Lose It: Stay Mentally Active #3 Work Out for Your Wits: Exercise and Keep Fit #4 Interact with Others: Stay Social #5 Rest for Restoration: Get Plenty of Sleep #6 Unwind for Your Mind: Manage Your Stress #7 Guard Your Gray Matter: Protect Your Head #8 Think Overall Health: Control Other Conditions #9 Give Your Brain a Break: Avoid Unhealthy Habits #10 Understand Your Risk: Consider Your Genes Related articles: The Ten Habits of Highly Effective Brains Debunking 10 Brain Myths (Source: SharpBrains) SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159439 Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:52:32 +0100 5159439 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4992815&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FgROm1dTTA8I%2F Let’s explore some  high-quality new resources, announcements and studies in this June edi­tion of the monthly Sharp­Brains eNewslet­ter. The field is clearly on the move! Portraits of the Mind: Several sharp brains (Rick, Karen, John, thanks!) strongly rec­om­mend the recent book  “Por­traits of the Mind: Visu­al­iz­ing the Brain from Antiq­uity to the 21st Cen­tury” (which includes the image on the left) as great read­ing and as a beau­ti­ful cof­fee table book. Promoting Healthy, Meaningful Aging Through Social Involvement: The cur­rent issue of Cere­brum includes the excel­lent in-depth arti­cle on the value of volunteering program Experience Corps to promote healthy and meaningful aging through social involvement. Working memory training can improve fluid i... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4992815 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:04:45 +0100 4992815 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4984731&cid=t_152992_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FVWUYzDz3gtM%2F I have spent many years working on my health and my happiness. I learned early on how my thoughts and my mind can affect every experience I have. Therefore I began researching and learning about the health of my mind and how I could use my mind to benefit my life and my overall happiness. I figured there are enough obstacles to deal with out there in the big world and I didn’t want to be sabotaging myself from within. There are several different factors that affect health and happiness including nutrition, lifestyle, exercise, stress, family and career. However the one big factor that in my experience often gets overlooked is the health of the mind. It seemed to me that in order to create and maintain a healthy and happy life the work must begin with the mind. Your thoughts are extremely... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4984731 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 04:57:09 +0100 4984731 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4976036&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2Ffuv1BBULwMs%2F The current issue of Cerebrum –a great publication of the Dana Foundation– includes the excellent in-depth article Promoting Healthy, Meaningful Aging Through Social Involvement: Building an Experience Corps, written by researcher Michelle Carlson: “Over the last decade, scientists made two key discoveries that reframed our understanding of the adult brain’s potential to benefit from lifelong environmental enrichment. First, they learned that the adult brain remains plastic; it can generate new neurons in response to physical activity and new experiences. Second, they confirmed the importance of social connectedness to late-life cognitive, psychological, and physical health. The integration of these findings with our understanding of individuals’ developmental needs throughout li... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4976036 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 18:01:23 +0100 4976036 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934548&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FFQD0FQS_7mw%2F Lumos Labs, the company behind lumosity.com, has raised $32.5 million dollars in a Series C round from Menlo Ventures, FirstMark Capital, Harrison Metal and Norwest Venture Partners. In our 2010 market report Lumos Labs came up as one of the category Leaders given its market and research momentum (not easy for a startup to get clear momentum in either of those dimensions, much less in both of them), so our congratulations to them for now adding such investment traction. This is the largest round of funding so far in the cognitive fitness space so far, and should contribute to the maturity of the field as well as to more innovation and R&D. Description: Lumos Labs is a cog­ni­tive neu­ro­science research and devel­op­ment com­pany that builds soft­ware tools for improv­ing bra... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934548 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 11:01:51 +0100 4934548 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4902486&cid=t_152992_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F06%2F05%2F6-bipolar-rules-for-eating%2F The following post is by Hilary Smith, author of “Welcome to the Jungle: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Bipolar But Were Too Freaked Out to Ask” (Conari Press, 2010) as well as a cool blog to go with it, Welcome to the Jungle. We’ve all heard about “mood foods” that can promote wellness for people with bipolar and depression–fish oil for brain health, oatmeal for stable blood sugar, chocolate for, well, chocolateness. But it’s also important to think about how we eat. How we eat can have just as big an impact on our mood as what we eat, yet it often gets neglected in conversations about bipolar and food. Here are some tips for maintaining a healthy mood through mindful eating practices. 1. Make eating an art. How you eat is sometimes a r... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4902486 Sun, 05 Jun 2011 10:05:30 +0100 4902486 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4872261&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FC6MsRAtQj1A%2F Here are the top 30 Sharpbrains articles based on our readers’ ranking since 2006 and since 2010. Brain science news, brain fitness trends, brain health and maintenance tips, read on to expand your mind! . Top 50 Brain Teasers, by Sharp­Brains Team The Ten Habits of Highly Effec­tive Brains, by Alvaro Fernandez How can I improve my short term mem­ory?, by Pascale Michelon Brain Plas­tic­ity: How learn­ing changes your brain, by Pas­cale Michelon Brain Fitness Program and Neuroplasticity @ PBS, by Alvaro Ferandez What are Cognitive Abilities?, by Pascale Michelon How can I improve my short term mem­ory?, by Car­o­line Latham Your Brain on Trading, by Janice Dorn Stress Man­age­ment Work­shop for Inter­na­tional Women’s Day, by Alvaro Fernandez Video Games Pros and Co... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4872261 Fri, 27 May 2011 16:18:53 +0100 4872261 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4742536&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FWMn1-gocfY8%2F SharpBrains served a highly thought-provoking and informative 2011 Virtual Summit on Retooling Brain Health for the 21st Century over 3 days, March 30th — April 1st. Here is a brief distillation of the large number (40+) of presentations. 1.The range and variety of presentations left no room for doubt that the digital brain health market is concerned with much more than improving cognitive performance and preventing/treating disease. There is a need for many tools in each of the following categories: computerized assessment for myriad cognitive, psychological and neurological concerns; data analysis and recommendation systems; interventions for manifold clinical and non-clinical problems; measurement of the effectiveness of interventions; dynamic feedback and intervention adjustment. Sig... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4742536 Thu, 21 Apr 2011 21:40:06 +0100 4742536 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4642777&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FyyME_JEo_sk%2F Registration to participate in 2011 SharpBrains Virtual Summit closes tomorrow Tuesday, March 29th, at 1pm US Pacific Time/ 4pm US Eastern Time. If you are planning to attend, please Register Now. — We are hon­ored to announce that Dr. Brenda Dann-Messier, US Depart­ment of Education’s Assis­tant Sec­re­tary for Voca­tional and Adult Edu­ca­tion, will open 2011 Sharp­Brains Virtual Summit on Wednesday, March 30th, shar­ing her Wel­come Remarks with 220+ registered participants. Brenda Dann-Messier was nom­i­nated by Pres­i­dent Obama as assis­tant sec­re­tary for voca­tional and adult edu­ca­tion on July 14, 2009. On Oct. 5, 2009 she was con­firmed by the U.S. Sen­ate and began her offi­cial duties on Oct. 13, 2009. More information on Dr. Dann-Messier’s bi... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4642777 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 11:05:10 +0100 4642777 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4610895&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FWmRE0YNJTlA%2F Conferences have long been a staple of the professional calendar. Now, after a recession that has slashed travel expenditure, the landscape for events is changing. Sophisticated digital platforms are enabling virtual environments that simulate the benefits of real events, and attendees are beginning to shift to accessing subject matter experts and industry networking online. But can the digital environment really displace brick and mortar events, where eye to eye meetings and chance connections can justify the often costly registration fees and travel costs? In organizations where hundreds of executives and professionals attend several conferences a year at $1,000 or more each in total cost, a virtual conference at $500 can be attractive. Making virtual connections at an online conference ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4610895 Fri, 18 Mar 2011 14:49:41 +0100 4610895 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4570642&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FqAdeoyML3gI%2F This report includes pro­pri­etary sur­veys, mar­ket data and in-depth analy­sis of 32 com­pa­nies, 10 Inno­va­tion Case Stud­ies pre­pared by 2010 Inno­va­tion Awards Win­ners and Final­ists, and 23 Research Exec­u­tive Briefs pre­pared by lead­ing scientists. Report Sum­mary This 207-page report tracks devel­op­ments at over thirty pub­lic and pri­vate com­pa­nies offer­ing dig­i­tal tools to assess, enhance and repair brain-based cog­ni­tive and self-regulation func­tions and pro­vides impor­tant indus­try data, insights and analy­sis to help investors, exec­u­tives, entre­pre­neurs, and pol­icy mak­ers nav­i­gate the oppor­tu­ni­ties and risks of this rapidly grow­ing field. The report dis­cusses the impli­ca­tions of cog­ni­tive ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4570642 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 16:50:17 +0100 4570642 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4525031&cid=t_152992_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdoes-cell-phone-use-stimulate-brain-activity%2F2011.02.26 We all know that using a cell phone can stimulate the brain to work a bit harder. “Mr. Skerrett? This is Dr. LeWine’s office. Do you have a minute to talk about your test results?” or “Dad, a bunch of kids are going to Casey’s house after the dance. Can I go?” But a new study published in JAMA is making me wonder what the energy emitted by the phone itself — not just the information it delivers — is doing to my brain. Here’s the study in a nutshell. Dr. Nora Volkow and her colleagues recruited 47 volunteers to have their brain activity measured twice by a PET scanner. Both times the volunteer had a cell phone strapped to each ear. During one measurement, both phones were turned off. During the other, one phone was turned on but muted so the volunteer didn’t know... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4525031 Sat, 26 Feb 2011 22:00:29 +0100 4525031 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4489816&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FobcTqPEVmCU%2F We are pleased to announce two new resources for all professionals, researchers, developers, innovators and decision-makers in the field of brain health and cognitive fitness who are interested in better tracking and shaping the future that is already here. First of all, we have opened up a “Friends of SharpBrains.com” professional networking group on LinkedIn. If you are already a LinkedIn member, you can join the 377 existing members by clicking Here. Second, registered participants for the upcoming 2011 SharpBrains Summit (March 30 — April 1st) can now connect with each other and with speakers, as well as access 10 exclusive Innovation Case Studies prepared by the Win­ners and Final­ists of the 2010 Brain Fitness Innovation Awards. Ordered by approximate age group of the target ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4489816 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 16:43:32 +0100 4489816 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4482876&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F_yJ4wQY3NAs%2F We’re delighted to add Brain Resource to the roster of Sponsors of the upcoming 2011 SharpBrains Summit, and the Center for  Technology and Aging and the Brain Injury Association of Canada to the roster of Partners. Thank you for your support! New Sponsor Brain Resource brings new insights and new efficiencies to managing brain health. Its proprietary platforms are used to predict who will best respond to what drug, and develop new drugs, to provide objective reports from on-line assessments of brain health across the lifespan (including ADHD, Depression, Anxiety and Schizophrenia), and to match individualized profiles with brain training exercises & interactive videos to optimize wellness & brain function. New Partners The Brain Injury Association of Canada has a mandate to im... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4482876 Wed, 16 Feb 2011 02:27:03 +0100 4482876 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4450390&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FDyXSG_WBfSQ%2F What may be the most time and cost-efficient way to attend a conference, learn from world-class speakers and meet old and new colleagues? Answer: A virtual conference, such as the upcoming 2011 SharpBrains Summit: Retooling Brain Health for the 21st Century (March 30th — April 1st). Please watch this 3-minute clip to learn how the SharpBrains Summit works, and why you should consider joining the good company of over 35 leading Speakers drawn from industry, research and the front lines. Confirmed Speakers include: === To Learn More About Summit Faculty & Agenda, click HERE We’d be delighted to count on your participation in this innovative endeavor, - The SharpBrains Team PS: Early-bird registration rates end on February 18th, with substantial savings available both for companies a... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4450390 Tue, 08 Feb 2011 17:25:38 +0100 4450390 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4343238&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F_DBZ4mqy5-Y%2F This article describes a recent social psychology study that sheds some light on what good you can get from such relationships. A great post by Matthew Brim that we are pleased to bring you thanks to our col­lab­o­ra­tion with The Greater Good Mag­a­zine. (Photo: Tatiana Gladskikh) . .Why Other People’s Good News Could Be Good for You How often does this happen to you: You come home ecstatic about some great news—a job promotion, a victorious tennis match, or maybe just the latest Ben and Jerry’s ice cream flavor—and you immediately relate the experience to your romantic partner, roommate, or anyone within earshot. But instead of sharing your enthusiasm, they greet your news with indifference. Does this quell your excitement, or even make you enjoy the event less? A recent st... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4343238 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 15:42:22 +0100 4343238 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4331116&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FtVPk1z9NXRg%2F Every Monday during the next 10 weeks we’ll discuss here what leading industry, science and policy experts –all of whom will speak at the upcoming 2011 SharpBrains Summit (March 30th — April 1st, 2011)– have to say about emerging opportunities and challenges to address, over the next 10 years, the growing brain-related societal demands. Without further ado, here you have what four Summit Speakers say… — Alvaro Pascual-Leone is the Direc­tor of the Berenson-Allen Cen­ter for Non-Invasive Brain Stim­u­la­tion at Har­vard Med­ical School. 1. How would you define “brain fitness” vs. “physical fitness”? Physical fitness can refer to an overall or general state of health and well-being. However, it is also often used more specifically to refer to the ability to perfor... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4331116 Mon, 10 Jan 2011 20:57:18 +0100 4331116 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4294827&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F-uEjqrPKAcM%2F This study shows once again how physical fitness is directly related to mental fitness. At all age, exercising the body benefits the brain. Interestingly, aerobic training is usually related to better cognitive performance. This new study shows that resistance training can be added to our list of exercise to do. Related posts: Physical exercise: why aerobic exercise enhances neurogenesis and neuroplasticity Walking increases brain volume and reduces risks of decline (Source: SharpBrains) SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4294827 Tue, 28 Dec 2010 16:13:34 +0100 4294827 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4259032&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FXzPIfCIS5Y8%2F Yesterday I had the chance to chat with Yaakov Stern, leading Cognitive Reserve researcher at Columbia University, and then with a group of 25 lifelong learners in Arizona who attended a brain fitness class (hello, Robert and friends!) based on our consumer guide The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness. On reflection, I found both conversations to be very stimulating for the same reason: they were forward-looking, focused not so much on status quo but on how emerging research, technology and trends may impact our society and lives in years to come. Let’s continue the conversation. Let me share the 10 main trends that we analyzed/ forecasted in our book, and then ask you, sharp readers, to add your own 2 cents to the discussion. 1. We predict an increased emphasis on brain maintenance in ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4259032 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 19:51:03 +0100 4259032 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4183341&cid=t_152992_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=4183396&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2Fmiilgyg-0P8%2F When I give a presentation about brain health and fitness, there are always a few people who come tell me afterward that they do crossword puzzles everyday. They heard that mental exercise is good for the brain so they are pleased and proud to report that they do the best they can to maintain their brain functions. But are they really? What if I was a gym instructor? Would the same people tell me proudly that to keep their whole body in shape they do biceps movements everyday, and that’s all they do? I DO feel like I was this gym instructor when I hear the crossword puzzles claim! Solving crossword puzzles repetitively is not the best habit for two reasons. First, the first crossword puzzles one did were truly stimulating but the marginal value declines with repetition. You may remember ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4183396 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 16:09:00 +0100 4183396 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4183395&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=35056&url=http%3A%2F%2Frenegadeneurologist.com%2Ffat-and-dumb%2F Warning: preg_match_all() [function.preg-match-all]: Compilation failed: unrecognized character after (? or (?- at offset 2 in /home/perlren/public_html/wp-content/plugins/abd-clickable-links.php on line 30 Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /home/perlren/public_html/wp-content/plugins/abd-clickable-links.php on line 50 Research scientists have long suspected that a relationship existed between obesity and a decline in brain power. New studies now confirm the contention that being overweight is detrimental to the brain. Researchers at the University of California in an article published in the Archives of Neurology demonstrated a strong correlation between central obesity (that is, being fat around the middle) and shrinkage of a part of the brain ( the hippocampus) fundam... Renegade Neurologist - A Blog by David Perlmutter, MD, FACN blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4183395 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 16:03:33 +0100 4183395 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4179403&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FbIK4cuhZ8z0%2F Discussions (Members-only links below. To Learn More and Join Council, click Here) Now let’s take a look at the great things going on with the SharpBrains Council. Council Membership 60 Council Members are already active in the Council members-only platform, bringing an excellent cross-sector participation and featuring innovative research, products, services and practices. The Member List available in the Library section includes interests and 2011 priorities, to facilitate connections. We are featuring: 7 most active Council Members: Philip Toman, Jamie Wilson, Luc Beaudoin, Joshua Steinerman, Pascale Michelon, Adam Gazzaley and Sherrie All. 7 Council Members doing great work outside the US: Peter Reiner, Veronika Litinski and David Tal in Canada; Jenny Brockis and Steve Zanon in A... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4179403 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 17:05:02 +0100 4179403 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4152013&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FxT8_KCqYxVw%2F An interesting and very well-documented article in the Los Angeles Times reviews studies looking at Vitamin B and its role in improving memory. The vitamins — including folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 — are often touted as a way to improve memory and stave off cognitive decline. The claims are based on the finding that levels of the vitamin are low in people with various forms of cognitive impairment, including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. But experts say it’s still unclear whether taking high doses of the vitamins will keep such conditions at bay. […] Haan says the existing body of studies may be inconclusive because the causes of cognitive decline — which are incompletely understood — are probably too complex to be halted with a single vitamin supplement. Comments: ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4152013 Tue, 09 Nov 2010 17:04:05 +0100 4152013 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4139350&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2Feoae9ySUpJw%2F Peo­ple of all ages read SharpBrains.com, so we are prepar­ing a series of arti­cles on Brain Health across the Lifes­pan. The series will include 4 parts: The Child Brain, pub­lished in Novem­ber 2010 The Ado­les­cent Brain, in Decem­ber 2010 The Adult Brain, in Jan­u­ary 2011 The Aging Brain, in Feb­ru­ary 2011 Each part will : Include sur­pris­ing facts on how the brain works Debunk com­mons myths about cog­ni­tion and brain health Link to resources such as books and doc­u­men­taries. If you want to read these arti­cles as we pub­lish them via SharpBrains.com, you can either fol­low us in Face­book and Twit­ter or, if you have not done so already, subscribe to our monthly update (eNewsletter). Tell your friends and col­leagues about the series! (... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4139350 Fri, 05 Nov 2010 14:43:09 +0100 4139350 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133996&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FkpHZTmkOT-E%2F This study suggests that taking DHA supplements after Alzheimer’s diagnosis is not helpful. Prior evidence shows that omega-3 consumption (especially DHA) long before the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms reduces the risk of developing the disease. Indeed, several studies have shown that eating fish (the primary source in our diet of omega-3 fatty acids) is associated with a reduced risk of cognitive decline or dementia. The authors of the JAMA study also speculate that DHA supplements could be used as a treatment for people who have not yet been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s but are already developing dementia pathology in their brain: “Individuals intermediate between healthy aging and dementia, such as those with mild cognitive impairment, might derive benefit from DHA supplementation,... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133996 Tue, 02 Nov 2010 19:00:19 +0100 4133996 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4119371&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2Fz4IpAJ-3lzg%2F You have heard that physical exercise is good for the brain. How much exercise are we talking about? Can the benefits be seen both for children and adults? In Fitter bodies = fitter brains. True at all ages? Dr. Pascale Michelon answers these questions for you, based on latest scientific studies. We need fun ways to get out the couch more and exercise both physically and cognitively. What about setting up community-based adult playgrounds, such as this one in Beijing? . New Brain Health Series People of all ages read SharpBrains.com and this monthly update, so we are preparing a series of articles on Brain Health across the Lifespan. The series will include 4 parts: The Child Brain, published in November 2010 The Adolescent Brain, in December 2010 The Adult Brain, in January 2011... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4119371 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 19:03:36 +0100 4119371 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4105840&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FzhPYbx7FCjA%2F Malpractice Methodology (New York Times OpEd by Peter Orszag) Right now, health care is more evidence-free than you might think. And even where evidence-based clinical guidelines exist, research suggests that doctors follow them only about half of the time. One estimate suggests that it takes 17 years on average to incorporate new research findings into widespread practice. As a result, any clinical guidelines that exist often have limited impact. How might we encourage doctors to adopt new evidence more quickly? If this is the case with health care overall, despite much progress over the last 30–40 years, imagine how worse it may be when we talk about brain health, when neuroscience and cognitive neuroscience are relatively more recent disciplines. This is a key insight to keep in m... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4105840 Mon, 25 Oct 2010 09:09:04 +0100 4105840 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4098204&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FzkWOaIN5aHY%2F The positive effects of exercise on brain health have been demonstrated in many studies now. The next step may be to develop low-cost programs in the community that provide appropriate support and structure for adults (especially older adults) to encourage physical activity. A great example of such program is The Adult Playground in Beijing, China (Dhand et al., 2010): Half a football field large, this space consisted of all-weather stretching and strengthening equipment such as elliptical machines, flat benches, modified leg press machines, railings at different heights, monkey bars, and arm and leg rotatory devices. The area was teeming with adults, most older than 60 years, who were not only exercising but also playing games such as Chinese hacky sack (a Chinese game from the 5th centu... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4098204 Fri, 22 Oct 2010 15:28:55 +0100 4098204 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4082205&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FIN2bpCMHT1c%2F Anyone who knows me knows that my favorite pastime is napping. In College, I would come back to my dorm room, and like clockwork, would take a nap. My best friend in England, who got quite a kick out of my passion for napping, once tried to persuade me to drink a cup of tea after lunch instead of taking my customary nap. I really tried, but I soon gave in to my nap cravings. Sometimes I feel like I really need to re-charge my brain batteries. Well, now science is on my side. I just love this new study, which was presented by Matthew Walker, assistant professor at UC Berkeley, at the annual meeting of the American Association of the Advancement of Science (AAAS) conference in San Diego this past Sunday (Feb. 2010). Walker and his colleagues Bryce A. Mander and Sangeetha Santhanam split up a... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4082205 Mon, 18 Oct 2010 20:04:14 +0100 4082205 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4074240&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FakNcK_Url9M%2F In the latest issue of Neurology a study by Erickson et al. (2010) suggests that walking regularly can increase brain volume and reduce the risks of developing cognitive impairment. The researchers stared with 2 mains facts: Gray matter volume shrinks with age, often leading to cognitive decline. Physical exercise seems to be neuro-protector (see our previous post: Fitter bodies = fitter brains. True at all ages?) They asked 2 questions: Can physical activity assessed earlier predict gray matter volume 9 years later? Is greater gray matter volume associated with reduced risks of developing cognitive impairment? The study: 299 participants, mean age: 78, 182 female. Physical activity was assessed in 1988–1989 (baseline) = total number of blocks walked over 1 week. Cognitive function... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4074240 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 19:20:44 +0100 4074240 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4074241&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FoYe8RXaOKMM%2F The New-York Times reports on the study published a few days ago in the Journal of Economic Perspectives, “Mental retirement”: … Data from the United States, England and 11 other European countries suggest that the earlier people retire, the more quickly their memories decline. … what aspect of work is doing that, Dr. Suzman said. “Is it the social engagement and interaction or the cognitive component of work, or is it the aerobic component of work?” he asked. “Or is it the absence of what happens when you retire, which could be increased TV watching?” Comments: This new study is another piece of evidence accumulating with more and more others suggesting that a brain healthy life-style requires constant cognitive challenge to help maintain high-level cognitive functions. Wh... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4074241 Thu, 14 Oct 2010 18:58:36 +0100 4074241 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4055827&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F9mHY5I3qG84%2F Brain training does not necessarily mean computerized games. For instance, mediation may be a great tool to train your brain. Different parts of the brain support different functions. One function, central to many of our actions, is “attention”. Attention can be defined as the ability to sustain concentration on a particular object, action, or thought. It can also be defined as the ability to manage competing demands in our environment.connections between neurons, die. In the brain it is supported mainly by neuronal networks in the parietal (yellow in the figure) and frontal (blue in the figure) lobes. What can be done to maintain and boost such a fundamental ability? Dr. Andrew Newberg (Associate Professor in the Department of Radiology and Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvani... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4055827 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 19:05:03 +0100 4055827 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4045094&cid=t_152992_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhealth-benefits-of-green-tea-omega-3-combo%2F2010.10.08 We have know for some time that there are health benefits from drinking green tea. Research also shows that Omega 3 fatty acids have beneficial effects on a number of organs in the body, including the cardiovascular system, the brain, and even depression. Dr. Fereidoon Shahidi, research professor in the Department of Biochemistry at Memorial University in Newfoundland, Canada, is hoping to show that green tea polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), may also prevent colon cancer and even have anti-viral effects when combined with certain Omega 3 fatty acids. “We know from experience that green tea is not well absorbed by the body,” Dr. Shahidi said. “Our premise was to see if by adding something to it that has its own benefits, like Omega 3 fatty acids, we might g... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4045094 Fri, 08 Oct 2010 16:00:00 +0100 4045094 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4031370&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2Fl6wxN32Q4nc%2F The results of recently published studies suggest that fitter children also have fitter brains. It looks like exer­cis­ing your body pro­motes brain health. Is this true at all ages? How does it work? How much exercise should we do? Physical activity and brain health in children An emerging literature suggests that physical activity and high levels of aerobic fitness during childhood  may enhance cognition. In the 2 most recent studies by Kramer and colleagues (2010), the cognitive performance and the brains of higher-fit and lower-fit 9– and 10-year-old children were examined. In one study, fitter children did better than less fit children in a task requiring to ignore irrelevant information and attend to relevant cues. Fitter children also had larger basal ganglia (more specificall... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4031370 Mon, 04 Oct 2010 16:24:04 +0100 4031370 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4023033&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FbHoojoc7mTc%2F Read this recent Scientific American article showing clearly how the brain can change based on our daily experiences and actions: … a new study in the journal Brain Research demonstrates that […] birth control pills have structural effects on regions of the brain that govern higher-order cognitive activities … Whereas the subtle structural effects of naturally-occurring steroid hormones and sex differences in the brain have been extensively studied, few studies have examined the role of synthetic hormones on changes in the human brain.  What happens, then, when the female brain gets a significant and artificial dose of steroid hormone, either progesterone, estrogen or both? […] It appears that the brain, that sensitive organ replete with steroid receptors, reacts to its hormonal m... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4023033 Fri, 01 Oct 2010 15:59:16 +0100 4023033 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3999123&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FnOfXftJe7Tc%2F I recently reported on an intriguing study examining the impact of an herbal treatment for youth with ADHD. Results from this randomized-controlled trial were quite promising and consistent with the idea that some individuals with ADHD have deficiencies in essential nutrients that compromise healthy brain development and result in ADHD symptoms. This idea has sparked the long-standing debate about whether dietary factors play an important role in the development of ADHD, at least for some children, and led to many studies of this issue. Although results of these studies elude any simple conclusions, dietary factors do appear to contribute to ADHD symptoms in some individuals. Some have argued that research on the relationship between diet and ADHD is more important than ever because the di... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3999123 Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:11:04 +0100 3999123 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3994118&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FebOYCtuF2U4%2F Ask yourself the tough questions: Do you mind your brain? Do you know your noggin’? Can you claim cerebral ownership or is your mental a rental? Although these questions are relevant at virtually all lifespan stages, firm answers can sometimes appear inconceivable.  Unfortunately with advancing age, attention to mental performance is often either abandoned or framed in terms of perceived impairment and decline.  Now, I have previously shared my message on minding the aging brain with SharpBrains readers.  As a cognitive neuropsychiatrist primarily interested in later-life phenomena, I tend to stick to my area of expertise.  Nevertheless, whether you are elder or not, I implore you to take these ideas to heart…do you mind? Just as brain fitness is for all, aging is similarly univers... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3994118 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 17:41:02 +0100 3994118 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3980913&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F4lcTn0h0gTo%2F This study is different from the previous ones showing that healthy people who are cognitively active have lower risks of developing dementia for one major reason: It assessed the fate of cognitively active individuals who have been diagnosed with dementia. This stresses an important point: cognitive activity helps delay the emergence of dementia but doesn’t prevent it completely. The results of the study confirmed that cognitive activity prior to dementia onset is protective: the annual rate of global cognitive decline for people who had no cognitive impairment was reduced by 52% for each additional point on the cognitive activity scale. This means that individuals who had high cognitive activity scores showed delayed decline. Overall these individuals declined more slowly than individu... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3980913 Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:30:48 +0100 3980913 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3976591&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FHd6O6y9ycUw%2F Inter­est­ing arti­cle on The Dana Foundation website on how to monitor cognitive decline in the brain in the very early stages of Alzheimer’s: Functional MRI May Be Useful for Monitoring Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (Dana Foundation) Alzheimer’s researchers have long wanted to find better ways not only to diagnose the disease but also to monitor its progression from the earliest stages. A new study suggests that functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a technique currently used mainly for neuroscience research or to guide brain surgery, could be useful in this clinical role. […] an elegant and thought-provoking study. (Source: SharpBrains) SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3976591 Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:24:36 +0100 3976591 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3961872&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=35056&url=http%3A%2F%2Frenegadeneurologist.com%2Flow-levels-of-vitamin-d-link-to-cognitive-problems-in-older-people%2F Warning: preg_match_all() [function.preg-match-all]: Compilation failed: unrecognized character after (? or (?- at offset 2 in /home/perlren/public_html/wp-content/plugins/abd-clickable-links.php on line 30 Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /home/perlren/public_html/wp-content/plugins/abd-clickable-links.php on line 50 From ScienceDaily.com: Researchers from the Peninsula Medical School, the University of Cambridge and the University of Michigan, have for the first time identified a relationship between Vitamin D, the “sunshine vitamin”, and cognitive impairment in a large-scale study of older people. The importance of these findings lies in the connection between cognitive function and dementia: people who have impaired cognitive function are more likely to ... Renegade Neurologist - A Blog by David Perlmutter, MD, FACN blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3961872 Sun, 12 Sep 2010 17:21:00 +0100 3961872 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3938420&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2Fl09if-uJcmc%2F If you happen to be in Barcelona, Spain, on September 14th, make sure to attend Alvaro Fernandez talk there titled “How and Why Digital Technology Will Transform Education, Training and Brain Health”. Date: 14/09/2010 Time: 19:00 Place: ESADEFORUM. Av. Pedralbes 60–62. Description: You have a brain. Make it reflect on this provocative vision of how the convergence of demographic and political trends with the discoveries of neuroscience and digital technology can give rise to a global market capable of transforming the way in which we develop and maintain our brains, in order to attain the highest possible level of brain health and performance throughout our lives. The neuroscientist Ramón y Cajal once said: “Every man can, if he so desires, become the sculptor of his own brai... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3938420 Tue, 07 Sep 2010 07:24:11 +0100 3938420 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3933115&cid=t_152992_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F09%2F03%2F8-tips-for-improving-your-memory%2F Improving your memory is easier than it sounds. Most of think of our memory as something static and unchanging. But it’s not — you can improve your memory just as you can improve your math or foreign language skills, simply by practicing a few tried and true memory building exercises. There are two kinds of memory — short-term and long-term. Short-term memory is the kind of memory our brain uses to store small pieces of information needed right away, like someone’s name when you meet for the first time. Research has demonstrated that short-term memory’s capacity is about seven pieces of information. After that, something has to go. Long-term memory is for things you don’t need to remember this instant. When you study for a test or exam, that’s long... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3933115 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:18:39 +0100 3933115 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3929325&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=35056&url=http%3A%2F%2Frenegadeneurologist.com%2Fgreen-tea-%25e2%2580%2593-good-for-the-brain%2F Warning: preg_match_all() [function.preg-match-all]: Compilation failed: unrecognized character after (? or (?- at offset 2 in /home/perlren/public_html/wp-content/plugins/abd-clickable-links.php on line 30 Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /home/perlren/public_html/wp-content/plugins/abd-clickable-links.php on line 50 It seems that hardly a day does by that we don’t hear about some new health benefit associated with drinking green tea. Whether it’s cancer prevention, boosting immunity, raising alertness, or even treating the common cold, it seems like there’s no end to the virtues of this centuries old practice. Many of the benefits of drinking green tea are thought to be associated with it’s high content of flavonoids, plant derived antioxidants that may be res... Renegade Neurologist - A Blog by David Perlmutter, MD, FACN blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3929325 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 01:44:29 +0100 3929325 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3920957&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F80LA7jt6c3E%2F What is working memory, and why it matters? Can we multi-task as good as we seem to assume? What should we all know about how our brains work, and why? We hope you enjoy this August eNewsletter, featuring six distinguished contributors who answer those questions, and more. Please remember that you can subscribe to receive this free Brain Fitness eNewsletter by email, using the box in the right column. Know Thyself Why working memory matters in the knowledge age: As Dr. Tracy Alloway points out, one way to visualize working memory is as the brain’s “Post-it Notes” — we make mental scribbles of bits of information we need to remember and work with. Without enough working memory we cannot function as a society or as individuals. Learn more by participating in this study launched by D... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3920957 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:23:05 +0100 3920957 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3913152&cid=t_152992_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F08%2F28%2Fwalking-yoga-helps-your-brain%2F Two studies out last week demonstrate connections between practicing yoga and simple walking may work to help improve your brain health. Previous research has linked exercise to helping keep our brains healthy. The two latest studies independently found that walking and yoga may help our brain health in different ways. To study the effects of walking on brain health, researchers followed a group of older adult “couch potatoes” — ages 59 to 80 — who joined a walking group, or stretching and toning group for a year… Researchers followed a group of “professional couch potatoes,” composed of 65 adults ages 59 to 80, who joined a walking group or stretching and toning group for a year. All of the participants were sedentary before the study, reporting less th... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3913152 Sat, 28 Aug 2010 20:10:47 +0100 3913152 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3907689&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=35056&url=http%3A%2F%2Frenegadeneurologist.com%2Fresearcher-sees-link-between-vitamin-d-autism%2F Warning: preg_match_all() [function.preg-match-all]: Compilation failed: unrecognized character after (? or (?- at offset 2 in /home/perlren/public_html/wp-content/plugins/abd-clickable-links.php on line 30 Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /home/perlren/public_html/wp-content/plugins/abd-clickable-links.php on line 50 From AutismToday.com: The growing prevalence of autism is one of the biggest scientific whodunits in the medical world, with few clues for its rising incidence. But a U.S. researcher is advancing a controversial hypothesis: that autism is related to vitamin D deficiency during fetal development and early childhood. Dr. John Cannell, a psychiatrist and prominent vitamin D advocate, says flagging levels of the vitamin in pregnant women and young children cou... Renegade Neurologist - A Blog by David Perlmutter, MD, FACN blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3907689 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:28:27 +0100 3907689 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3899503&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=35056&url=http%3A%2F%2Frenegadeneurologist.com%2Fbinge-on-broccoli-to-boost-the-brain%2F Warning: preg_match_all() [function.preg-match-all]: Compilation failed: unrecognized character after (? or (?- at offset 2 in /home/perlren/public_html/wp-content/plugins/abd-clickable-links.php on line 30 Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /home/perlren/public_html/wp-content/plugins/abd-clickable-links.php on line 50 From DNAindia.com: Eating certain fruit and vegetables could boost the memory, particularly broccoli, according to British research. The study conducted by King’s College London,provides scientific backing to the theory and has major implications for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society said. Extracts found in five fruits and vegetables —broccoli, potatoes, oranges, apples and radishes — were fou... Renegade Neurologist - A Blog by David Perlmutter, MD, FACN blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3899503 Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:04:05 +0100 3899503 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3868821&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=35056&url=http%3A%2F%2Frenegadeneurologist.com%2Fuv-radiation-not-vitamin-d-might-limit-multiple-sclerosis-symptoms%2F Warning: preg_match_all() [function.preg-match-all]: Compilation failed: unrecognized character after (? or (?- at offset 2 in /home/perlren/public_html/wp-content/plugins/abd-clickable-links.php on line 30 Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /home/perlren/public_html/wp-content/plugins/abd-clickable-links.php on line 50 From ScienceNews.org: Ultraviolet radiation from sunshine seems to thwart multiple sclerosis, but perhaps not the way most researchers had assumed, a new study in mice suggests. If validated in further research, the finding could add a twist to a hypothesis that has gained credence in recent decades. The report appears online March 22 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Scientists have hypothesized that MS is rare in the tropics because... Renegade Neurologist - A Blog by David Perlmutter, MD, FACN blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3868821 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 13:29:59 +0100 3868821 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3865348&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=35056&url=http%3A%2F%2Frenegadeneurologist.com%2Fadhd-and-obesity-is-there-a-link%2F Warning: preg_match_all() [function.preg-match-all]: Compilation failed: unrecognized character after (? or (?- at offset 2 in /home/perlren/public_html/wp-content/plugins/abd-clickable-links.php on line 30 Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /home/perlren/public_html/wp-content/plugins/abd-clickable-links.php on line 50 From HealthCentral.com: There are many behaviors seen in children and adults with ADHD that just make sense, when you consider that the core symptoms are, among other things, inattention, impulsivity, distractibility and more. People with ADHD typically are sensory seeking, even though it may not always look that way, especially if the individual has the inattentive sub-type. For example, many who are impulsive might find themselves having problems in the ... Renegade Neurologist - A Blog by David Perlmutter, MD, FACN blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3865348 Fri, 13 Aug 2010 11:05:44 +0100 3865348 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3798673&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FU3wLN6Oicdw%2F Here you have the July edition of our monthly eNewslet ter covering cognitive health and brain fitness topics. Please remem ber that you can subscribe to receive this free Brain Fitness eNewsletter by email, using the box in the right column. Technology to upgrade brain care: In this extensive interview, Dr. John Docherty helps connect the dots on why new frameworks and tools are a must to put recent brain research to good use. A must read for all professionals in the field. Research Findings from NIH Expert Panel: The American Society on Aging asked Alvaro Fernandez to comment on the findings from a major cognitive health research review by the National Institutes of Health. Lifestyle still matters, and protective factors against cognitive decline are led by cognitive training, physical... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3798673 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:11:35 +0100 3798673 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3772345&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FjLsVNwDrhXw%2F This study established the methodologies that made possible the effective scientific study of the efficacy of psychotherapies. The evidence base and of such treatments as CBT, DBT, Motivational Enhancement Treatment and other evidence-based psychotherapies derives directly from this study and its seminal influence. This was a contribution to the science of Clinical Treatment Development research. I would say that my major interest, however, has been in the next step, the science of knowledge transfer. There has been and remains a long and costly (in terms particularly of unnecessary suffering) lag between the development of new knowledge and its common and effective use in practice. In order the help the field moved forward, I have worked for the last 20 years in the development and implem... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3772345 Tue, 20 Jul 2010 10:07:21 +0100 3772345 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3754115&cid=t_152992_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F14%2Fexercise-and-improve-your-iq%2F I was flipping through the March edition of Women’s Health and the gym when low and behold I came across an article about Cardiovascular health making you smarter! What’s that? “Cardiovascular health is more important than any other single factor in preserving and improving learning and memory. You’re working out your brain at the same time as your heart” Dr. Thomas Cross, memory researcher. image from www.picturesofpeoplerunning.com Exercise brings extra blood to your brain cells, getting more oxygen and glucose that it needs to function optimally. Exercise also releases hormones serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, boosting your mood, and increasing attention. An interesting study was done on people who exercise for 1 hr per day, 3x week for six months.... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3754115 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:54:43 +0100 3754115 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3750151&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=35056&url=http%3A%2F%2Frenegadeneurologist.com%2Fevolution-determines-infant-brain-growth%2F This study and the data that we’re gathering now could provide us with very powerful tools for understanding what goes wrong structurally in a wide range of childhood disorders,” Inder said. The researchers hope to gain insight into the after-effects of premature birth and even conditions such as autism, attention-deficit disorder or reading disabilities, they said. Uneven growth points to evolution The researchers used a technique called surface reconstruction to compare regions and structures in different brains. In analysing the brain scans of 12 full-term babies and comparing them to the scans of 12 healthy young adults, the researchers found that the cerebral cortex – the wrinkled area on the surface of the brain responsible for higher mental functions – grew unevenly. A quart... Renegade Neurologist - A Blog by David Perlmutter, MD, FACN blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3750151 Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:02:42 +0100 3750151 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3733168&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=35056&url=http%3A%2F%2Frenegadeneurologist.com%2Fautism-and-vitamin-d-more%2F Warning: preg_match_all() [function.preg-match-all]: Compilation failed: unrecognized character after (? or (?- at offset 2 in /home/perlren/public_html/wp-content/plugins/abd-clickable-links.php on line 30 Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /home/perlren/public_html/wp-content/plugins/abd-clickable-links.php on line 50 From VitaminDCouncil.org: n addition to the current epidemic of vitamin D deficiency, say another epidemic—an epidemic of autism—was upon our children? What if the autism epidemic began at the same time the epidemic of vitamin D deficiency began? What if both epidemics had worsened in unison? What if one theory explained all the unexplained facts about autism? What if both epidemics had the same root cause: sun avoidance? What if both were iatrogenic, ... Renegade Neurologist - A Blog by David Perlmutter, MD, FACN blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3733168 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:50:34 +0100 3733168 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3721862&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=35056&url=http%3A%2F%2Frenegadeneurologist.com%2Fwhat-if-vitamin-d-deficiency-is-a-cause-of-autism%2F Discussions around autism specifically may be a right step or a wrong step, but they should not distract us from a much bigger picture.” Catherine Lord, the director of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor’s Autism and Communication Disorders Center, says she finds the Swedish study intriguing. “But it is going to be really important to replicate these findings,” says Lord, who has studied the disorder for 40 years and has been instrumental in developing autism diagnostic instruments used in practice and research worldwide. “We are talking about a small group of children with a lot of social factors, including that these kids are very conspicuously different from your average Swedish child, and being assessed by people who are from very different culture.&#8221... Renegade Neurologist - A Blog by David Perlmutter, MD, FACN blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3721862 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:16:29 +0100 3721862 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3699606&cid=t_152992_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=3519571&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FOFU37fr3j-g%2F We are pleased to announce that, out of the 40 great entries submitted, the 10 Finalists to the 2010 Brain Fitness Innovation Awards moving to the next round are (ordered by approximate age of end user population, from younger to older): Arrowsmith School, USA Hockey, Nationwide Mutual Insurance, University Behavioral HealthCare/ University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, Allstate, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Saint Luke’s Brain and Stroke Institute, Oakland Unified School District, Mental Health Association of Rockland County, SCAN Health Plan. Winners will be announced during the State of Brain Fitness Innovation Webinar on May 24th, noon-1pm Pacific Time. Registration is now open ($25), and includes executive summary of SharpBrains’ 2010 market report and acc... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3519571 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:32:23 +0100 3519571 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3508316&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2Fl3ddrIAAg9w%2F In light of the current BBC-led controversy on whether “brain training” works, we believe it is critical to spend some time discussing the basics of brain functioning and brain-healthy lifestyles, what “brain training” is and isn’t (to be accurate, the BBC didn’t test Brain Training as a category, only the new games that their researchers chose to build from scratch and designate as “brain training” ignoring previous research), what methodologies for brain training are in fact backed up by science (meditation, cognitive therapy, biofeedback, computerized cognitive training) as valuable for a variety of populations and goals, and how consumers and professionals can learn to navigate the growing array of claims. SharpBrains wants to contribute ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3508316 Mon, 26 Apr 2010 20:14:00 +0100 3508316 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3449018&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FRy1y-YiQKd4%2F Marian Diamond, UC-Berkeley: “People frequently do the same level of crossword puzzles to stimulate their brains year after year. They do not challenge their brains with more difficult levels of puzzles. In our research, we showed that if we challenged the rats to reach their food cups by having to climb over many obstructions, their brains increased more than those of rats who could walk unhindered to their food cups. Challenge increased brain size.” Tom Warden, Allstate: “… we see the opportunity that cognitive training provides as just the next evolution of things that we can advocate and get behind that ultimately make for a better driving experience, a safer driving experience for people. Not only for our insureds, but to help the roads be safer for everyone&#... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3449018 Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:45:14 +0100 3449018 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3346580&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FBtlcJu1TV9w%2F This week the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), the main association of health clubs worldwide, is holding its annual convention in San Diego. Information Here. I will be presenting a session on Wednesday titled Brain Fitness Offerings to Attract and Retain Baby Boomers, to help participants… Understand the implications from emerging research, tools and trends that will affect how health clubs attract and retain baby boomers Learn about the 4 lifestyle pillars for lifelong brain health, including physical and mental exercise Review a proven checklist to build a solid business case and navigate through the growing array of options Find the best mix of brain health products and practices by discussing best practices and case studies Identify low-cost a... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3346580 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:31:24 +0100 3346580 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3029940&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=34736&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FChannelN-PodcastsPoweredByOdiogo%2F%7E3%2FZ3Z3Dbott2Y%2Fa-brains-day.html A Day in the Life of Your Brain Medical journalist Judith Horstman writes about brain function and health and her recent book which “…discusses what your brain is doing as you go through a typical day: sleeping, waking, fighting, loving and making important decisions.” Pop sci touching on memory, sleep, meditation, diet, neuroplasticity, exercise, and more. Clip: theorizing about negative effects of the Internet. (Source: Channel N) Channel N blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3029940 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:30:13 +0100 3029940 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2954645&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=35056&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.renegadeneurologist.com%2Fdr-perlmutter-to-address-first-international-alzheimers-symposium-in-monaco%2F I am greatly honored to be invited to address the First International Congress on Alzheimer’s in Monaco under the Patronage of HRH Prince Albert II of Monaco. Here is a letter from the president of the organization: Despite the Billions of dollars spent annually to cure this disease, Alzheimer’s claims over 1 in 10 people over the age of 65 and represents a growing threat in the backdrop of an aging population. In fact, it is expected to claim over half of the people over 85 in coming years. Coincidentally, the past twenty years have seen substantial advances in the Neurosciences and allied fi elds. These major contributions, from the discovery of human stem cells in areas affected by Alzheimer’s to the sequencing of the Human Genome, have given rise to new tools, which are ripe ... Renegade Neurologist - A Blog by David Perlmutter, MD, FACN blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2954645 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:30:44 +0100 2954645 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2943945&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FLdrtQopG7g4%2F Next Tuesday, November 3rd: I’ll be presenting the SharpBrains Guide to a business/ entrepreneurial audience at the San Francisco Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth (you can register online). Description: While most of us have heard the phrase “use it or lose it,” very few understand what “it” means, or how to properly “use it” in order to improve brain function and fitness. This talk will provide an overview of the most recent research, guidelines and resources to “Use It and Improve It”, summarizing the main findings and topics from the new book The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness. We will debunk 10 common brain fitness myths; discuss how the brain works and the 4 pillars of brain maintenance; explain the difference be... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2943945 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:37:12 +0100 2943945 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2838982&cid=t_152992_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F09%2F28%2F6-healthy-habits-that-can-make-you-sick%2F I dance the Macarena whenever I come across an article that argues against healthy living. I cautioned you against too much positive thinking a few days ago. I laughed while reading research about dark chocolate firing up the happy brain. And I high fived the doctors who warn folks against too much sunscreen — because it blocks the vitamin D that all of us need. I hate that stuff and was looking long and hard for an excuse not to look like a clown this summer. Thank you! I’ve even performed the opposite of an intervention with one of my friends last week who was foolishly trying to give up alcohol and nicotine at the same time. “No, no, no,” I told her. “You can’t do both of these together and expect to keep friends. Now I suggest you go pour yourself a ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2838982 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:43:58 +0100 2838982 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2774735&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FT6qWkjZpDtg%2F Have you already read The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness? Let's see... 1. Pick the only part of your body that does not contain fat: a. Arm b. Thigh c. Brain d. None Answer: d) Fats are also present in the brain: in neurons’ membranes to keep them flexible. These fats are the omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids molecules. (Page 32 of the book) 2. Pick the only food product that doesn’t contain Omega-3 fatty acids a. Tuna b. Walnut c. Kiwi d. Jelly Beans Answer: d) Fatty acids can be found in cold-water fish (such as mackerel, herring, salmon, and tuna), kiwi, and walnuts. (Page 33) 3. Pick the only food product that doesn’t contain antioxidants a. Olive oil b. Milk c. Nuts d. Berries Answer: b) Antioxidants can be found in vegetable oils, nuts, green leafy vegetables (e.g., spinach),... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2774735 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 04:41:31 +0100 2774735 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2766155&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F9nHMIkobkaU%2F After a surprisingly calm summer, I am getting my brain, throat, and presentation, ready for the book tour to promote The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness. The tour includes two talks at New York Public Library! These are the events during September and October - please let me know if you plan to attend any. And, of course, if you haven't ordered your copy yet, Amazon.com is here to help you... Order Book at Amazon.com Click Here to order at Amazon.com. Print Edition, $24.95 Order Kindle eBook Click Here to order at Amazon.com, Kindle Edition, $9.99 > September 8th, Petaluma, California: Physical and Mental Exercise for Brain Fitness, at the Club One Fitness Center. More information here. > September 9th, San Francisco: The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness, at San... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2766155 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:38:12 +0100 2766155 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2657599&cid=t_152992_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blisstree.com%2Fhealthbolt%2Fchocolate-for-the-brain%2F Last month, over 350 medical professionals, computer experts and entrepreneurs gathered for the fifth annual Games for Health Conference in Boston and discussed out topics such as how computer games could boost patients’ health. There were even sessions that specifically focused on the relationship between gaming and cognitive health and whether games can help change behavior and/or improve balance for people with neurodegenerative diseases. Me - I’m all for the idea that games can help maintain cognitive health as well as possibly improve memory. And with that in mind, I’d like to introduce you to my latest find - Chocolatier: Decadence by Design. Seriously, what could be more fun than spending an hour or two pretending that you are a chocolatier building up a chocolate empire f... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2657599 Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:00:13 +0100 2657599 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2657759&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FBCZ8Vbq2q2Q%2F The American Society on Aging and SharpBrains have partnered to co-produce a professional development day for professionals in the field of aging. The day is themed "New Tools, New Partnerships", and will take place on Friday, September 11th, 2009, during ASA's West Coast Conference on Aging, in the Oakland Marriot City Center, Oakland, CA. "Given aging population trends, it is clear that we need more and better trained aging professionals, and that brain health needs to be a major component in that training. We are pleased to partner with SharpBrains to offer the latest thinking, best practices, and resources, to our members," said Carole Anderson, Vice President of Education. "The growing interest in brain health and fitness among consumers and professionals alik... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2657759 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:13:39 +0100 2657759 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2511975&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F25PQKVoRdEE%2F Think about this: How can anyone take care of his or her brain when every week brings a new barrage of articles and studies which seem to contradict each other? Do supplements improve memory? Do you need both physical and mental exercise –or is one of them enough? Which brain training approach, if any, is worth one's time and money? We tried to address these questions, and many others, in our recent book, The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness (182 pages, $24.95), that we presented at Games for Health Conference last week. The book is the result of over two years of extensive research including more than a hundred interviews with scientists, professionals and consumers, and a deep review of the scientific literature, led by neuropsychologist Elkhonon Goldberg and myself with the help of ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2511975 Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:52:14 +0100 2511975 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2458243&cid=t_152992_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=2447834&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2Fo064rsy3lpQ%2F Brain-fitness games join workplace, as well as senior center, arsenals (MarketWatch) - "Consumers and retirement homes have made brain-fitness games and exercises a commercial hit, but now some insurers and employers are incorporating them into wellness programs that promote health not just for the body but also for the mind." - "Improving brain health can result in less presenteeism, the tendency to be at work but be distracted and not able to focus," he added. "If you look at disability costs, absenteeism and presenteeism account for most of the medical costs, and that's a good reason for employers to be focused on brain health." (according to Dr. Eugene Baker, vice president at OptumHealth's Behavioral Solutions division)" The article reviews innovati... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2447834 Sat, 30 May 2009 20:34:13 +0100 2447834 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349077&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=35056&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.renegadeneurologist.com%2Ffish-oil-protects-against-diseases-like-parkinsons%2F Dr. Perlmutter’s comment: This research lends further support for our long held recommendations for the use of DHA as a brain protective supplement. From ScienceDaily.com: Dr. Nicolas Bazan, Director of the Neuroscience Center of Excellence, Boyd Professor, and Ernest C. and Yvette C. Villere Chair of Retinal Degenerative Diseases Research at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, will present new research findings showing that an omega three fatty acid in the diet protects brain cells by preventing the misfolding of a protein resulting from a gene mutation in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Huntington’s. He will present these findings for the first time on April 19, 2009 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Nouvelle C Room, at the American Societ... Renegade Neurologist - A Blog by David Perlmutter, MD, FACN blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349077 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:34:02 +0100 2349077 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2293096&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FsPTvxOgEPpA%2F Physical Fitness Improves Spatial Memory, Increases Size Of Brain Structure (Science Daily) - "Now researchers have found that elderly adults who are more physically fit tend to have bigger hippocampi and better spatial memory than those who are less fit." - "Certain activities are believed to modify hippocampus size in humans. For example, a study of London taxi drivers found that the posterior portion of the hippocampus was larger in experienced taxi drivers than in other subjects. And a study of German medical students found that the same region of the hippocampus increased in size as they studied for their final exams." - "Studies also have found that the hippocampus shrinks with age, a process that coincides with small but significant cognitive declines. The ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2293096 Fri, 20 Mar 2009 06:07:04 +0100 2293096 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2267326&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2Fx5W3Q9jy1k8%2F Increased longevity has generated many questions and much interest in healthy aging and retirement lifestyles over the recent decades. As Americans become educated regarding lifestyle choices that contribute to both physical and mental health, the definition of healthy aging has expanded to include brain health. The notion of retirement as a time of withdrawal from society, to be spent on rest and repose reflected the thinking of a previous era when people expected shorter life spans. It is now known that the human brain benefits from environments rich in novel and complex stimuli, and that by actively participating in society and taking on personally relevant roles, people find meaning and purpose, which gives them a reason to get up in the morning and pursue new challenges. This year, th... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2267326 Sat, 14 Mar 2009 12:15:50 +0100 2267326 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2223659&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F2F4NxwMMu_U%2F Here you have the February edition of our monthly newsletter covering cognitive health and brain fitness topics. Please remember that you can subscribe to receive this Newsletter by email, simply by submitting your email at the top of this page. Cognitive training (or structured mental exercise) definitely seems to work - as long as we define properly what "work" means, don't expect magic cures, and help navigate options. Please keep reading... Interview: Baycrest Interview with Baycrest's CEO Dr. William Reichman: Discussing the recent Centre for Brain Fitness at Baycrest, Dr. Reichman suggests that "we have an opportunity to make major progress in Brain Health in the XXI century, similar to what happened with Cardiovascular Health in the XXth, and technology will play a c... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2223659 Sat, 28 Feb 2009 22:56:02 +0100 2223659 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2173829&cid=t_152992_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=2170177&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F535195978%2F Round-up of recent news with a variety of angles, from the effects of gaming to cognitive training for driving skills and brain fitness classes. Seniors use brain training software to sharpen their minds (Dallas Morning News) - "Allstate Insurance has invited some policyholders and other older drivers to try InSight so researchers can evaluate whether the software reduces accidents." - "Depending on the results, the auto insurer says it may expand the pilot project and offer premium discounts to drivers who take the brain training." - "Today, only one in seven licensed drivers is 65 or older. But by 2030, when the last of the boomers turn 65, the proportion will be one in four. " Brain games (Palo Alto Weekly) - "There is research that justifies the belie... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2170177 Sun, 08 Feb 2009 23:54:42 +0100 2170177 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2148059&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sharpbrains.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F01%2F29%2Fupcoming-events%2F Fyi, I will be speaking at the following events: >> March 5th, New York Academy of Medicine, NYC. I will present Brain Fitness Software - Consumers Guide to distinguishing hope from hype, at the Comprehensive Approach to Dementia Symposium sponsored by Montefiore Medical Center and with credit designated by Albert Einstein College of Medicine. >> March 15-19th, ASA/ NCOA annual conference in Las Vegas. I will be presenting two sessions. Registration is open now at 2009 Aging in America Conference, but there is limited information on the sessions. Will blog when there are detailed abstracts available. - The State of the Brain Fitness Market, 16-Mar-09, 08:00 PM - 09:30 AM - Brain Fitness in Senior Housing: 18-Mar-09, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM >> April 8th, University of North Carolina Greensboro:... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2148059 Fri, 30 Jan 2009 03:37:24 +0100 2148059 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2116515&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F517237108%2F How do you know when something is fast moving towards a Gladwellian tipping point? When health insurance companies and public policy makers launch significant initiatives. For example, the government of Ontario recently announced a $10 million investment with Baycrest Research Centre who will partner with MaRS Venture Group to develop and commercialise brain fitness technologies. The investment was matched by an additional $10 million from private sources. Another important development was the $18 million agreement between the Australian-based Brain Resource Company (ASX:BRC) and OptumHealth in the US. This will allow for the provision of web-based cognitive assessments as part of a clinician’s decision support systems. These are some initiatives covered in a webinar Top Ten Cognitive Fi... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2116515 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 03:32:32 +0100 2116515 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2104469&cid=t_152992_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2009%2F01%2F14%2Fits-healthbolt-carnival-time-7%2F Time for another Healthbolt Carnival. You know the drill - grab a coffee, get comfortable, and start clicking. There’s plenty of reading to be done, starting with… Steve M from Weight Loss Weapons who looks at Weight Loss Scam Sites, saying, “Before being lured by an appealing weight loss success story check the weight loss scam list. Odds are good that they site is a fake.” Madeleine Begun Kane from Mad Kane’s Humor Blog keeps the guys on their toes with her A Valiant Guy’s Guide To Valentine’s Day. Alvaro Fernandez from SharpBrains has a list of the Top 10 Brain Fitness and Cognitive Health Books. Sarah Scrafford from Massage Therapy Careers looks at how you can educate yourself for free with these 50+ Open Courseware Classes on Fitness and Nutrition.... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2104469 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:40:34 +0100 2104469 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2079027&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F495728856%2F This article provides is a very good market overview. The reporter and I also discussed in depth the need for better consumer education and professional development, so people can make informed decisions, and for cognitive assessments to serve as independent baseline, help identify priorities and measure results. Please note that our market estimates do include revenues of computerized cognitive assessments, today mostly used in clinical trials, and wthin the military and sports teams. 2) Navigating the brain fitness landscape: do's and don'ts (McKnight's Long Term Care News) Comment: "Choosing the right cognitive fitness product or program for senior living residents is harder than it sounds. But understanding residents' needs, identifying your objectives and considering the total c... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2079027 Fri, 26 Dec 2008 18:03:07 +0100 2079027 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2079029&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F493454114%2F Here you have SharpBrains' 30 most popular articles, ranked by the number of people who have read each article in 2008. Please note that, since the first article already includes most of our most popular brain teasers, we have excluded teasers from the rest of the ranking. (If those 50 are not enough for you, you can also try these brain teasers). --- Blog Channel Article Brain teasers 1. Top 50 Brain Teasers and Games to Test your Brain It is always good to stimulate our minds and to learn a bit about how our brains work. Here you have a selection of the 50 Brain Teasers that people have enjoyed the most. Health & Wellness 2. The Ten Habits of Highly Effective Brains Let's review some good lifestyle options we can follow to maintain, and improve, our vibrant brains. My fa... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2079029 Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:55:23 +0100 2079029 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2034175&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F481061535%2F The Alzheimer's Foundation of America just released a thoughtful report advocating for widespread cognitive screenings after the age of 65 (55 given the right conditions). According to the press release, - "The report shatters unsubstantiated criticism and instead emphasizes the safety and cost-effectiveness of these tools and calls on Congress to develop a national dementia screening policy." - “Lifting the barriers to early detection is long overdue,” Hall said. “Conversations about brain health are not taking place. We must educate and empower consumers to talk openly about memory concerns, particularly with primary care providers, so they get the attention and quality of life they deserve.” - "Demand for screenings is evidenced by the success of AFA’s recent si... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2034175 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:13:32 +0100 2034175 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2022186&cid=t_152992_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=1991740&cid=t_152992_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fzimney%2Fpreventing-alzheimers-disease-a-scambuster-report%2F Last time, I wrote about Ginkgo biloba being ineffective for the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, which may have led you to wonder what actually can prevent it? In your Internet search, you might have been drawn in by the headline at CNN: “Five ways to keep Alzheimer’s away.” Unfortunately, that article, as with many similar ones that abound on the Internet, is long on hype and short on hard evidence. The article is so misleading, in fact, that before I tell you what’s really known about preventing Alzheimer’s I’d like to briefly puncture that particular hot air balloon.The CNN list of five ways to prevent Alzheimer’s begins with antioxidants, and in particular, vitamins A, C and E. They quote a psychiatrist who claims that “There are... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1991740 Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:57:29 +0100 1991740 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1976343&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F459178021%2F We offered some Brain Fitness Predictions in our Market Report , including... "7. Doctors and pharmacists will help patients navigate through the overwhelming range of available products and interpret the results of cognitive assessments. This will require significant professional development efforts, given that most doctors today were trained under a very different understanding of the brain than the one we have today." The American Medical News, a weekly newspaper for physicians published by the American Medical Association, just published an excellent article along those lines: Steps to a nimble mind: Physical and mental exercise help keep the brain fit -- Neuroscience is uncovering techniques to prevent cognitive decline. A few quotes: - It's an example that highlights a wave... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1976343 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:09:40 +0100 1976343 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1925050&cid=t_152992_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=1880646&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F421176296%2F This article was co-written by Drs. Simon Evans and Paul Burghardt. Drs. Evans and who 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 are co-authors of BrainFit For Life: A User's Guide to Life-Long Brain Health and Fitness. Antioxidants, brain fitness industry, brain fitness programs, Brain health, Brain Training, BrainFit, cognitive capacities, cognitive decline, cognitive health, emotional capacities, emotional regulation, exercise, hippocampus, improve brain function, improve cognitive function, improve memory, life, meditative focus, mental activity, Neurogenesis, neuroscience, Nutrition, optimal sleep, oxygen, physical he... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1880646 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 03:37:09 +0100 1880646 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1871342&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F416891408%2F As you have probably seen, the Cognitive Health and Brain Fitness field is rapidly evolving, so let me highlight some of the main recent developments affecting the field: 1) Public policy initiatives: - The Government of Ontario, Canada, announced a $10m investment in Baycrest Research Center to help develop and commercialize brain fitness technologies. This $10m investment was matched with an additional $10m by local investors. - In the US, The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 was signed into law, included in the recently-approved economic bailout bill. The passage of this law has significant implications for healthcare providers and technology vendors alike. 2) Computerized Cognitive Assessments Used by the US Military: The US Army ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1871342 Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:36:37 +0100 1871342 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1845424&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F407499879%2F We just received this quote of how a major health system is using our Brain Fitness Market Report: "At Sutter Health Partners we recognize the importance of brain health and how much the health of the brain and the body are interdependent.  The market report helped us further target our coaching efforts to integrate brain fitness and upgrade our entire coaching platform.  It is easy to read and gives you the industry perspective in a thorough yet concise manner.  I highly recommend it!" -- Margaret Sabin, CEO of Sutter Health Partners and VP, New Product Development, at Sutter Health. You may wonder, "what is the link between  wellness coaching and brain fitness"? In practice, good health and wellness coaches provide excellent brain health advice, given that the are... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1845424 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:18:33 +0100 1845424 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1803239&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F394328100%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. There is one type of "brain fitness program" which is not only free but also pays you back. You guessed it, that program is your "job". Our occupations can provide beneficial mental exercise if they incorporate the key ingredients of novelty, variety, and challenge, and are not a source of chronic stress. We start today's newsletter with two articles related to the brain value of having mentally stimulating jobs. Your Brain At Work Your Brain At Work Brochure: Aren't "talent" and "human capital" all about brain fitness and cognitive performanc... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1803239 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:13:01 +0100 1803239 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1790710&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F390824692%2F Several months ago we came across an excellent resource for cognitive/ brain fitness aimed at helping companies offer quality brain health information to their employees. While it is true that we often tend to believe all this "brain fitness" stuff is most relevant to our parents and/ or grandparents, trust me, if you are reading this you have a brain which would also benefit from learning about how it works and how to maintain it with proper care. And, from a company's point of view, isn't "talent" and "human capital" all about brain fitness and cognitive performance, really? The Conference Board and the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives (descriptions below) launched last year a program to "teach simple, practical strategies for incorporating brain-fri... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1790710 Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:05:40 +0100 1790710 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1780125&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F387957590%2F Welcome to the third edition of Hourglass, the monthly virtual gathering of bloggers to discuss the Biology of Aging. For today's edition, let's imagine all participants sitting around a table leading a lively Questions & Answers session, discussing as a group, listening, talking. (And, well, aging.) Q: What is aging? Ms. Wikipedia: "Ageing or aging (American English) is the accumulation of changes in an organism or object over time. Ageing in humans refers to a multidimensional process of physical, psychological, and social change. Some dimensions of ageing grow and expand over time, while others decline. Reaction time, for example, may slow with age, while knowledge of world events and wisdom may expand." Aging may not be the sexiest  of words in our vocabulary. Unless, o... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1780125 Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:45:55 +0100 1780125 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1780127&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F387263580%2F This article was written by Pascale Michelon, Ph. D., for SharpBrains. 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. More articles on the topic: - A Multi-Pronged Approach to Brain Health - Overview of Nutritional Supplements and Brain Fitness Alzheimers, Alzheimers risk, Antioxidants, berries, brain diet, Brain health, citrus fruits, cocoa, Corrada, Curcumin, dark chocolate, DHA, enhance me... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1780127 Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:05:57 +0100 1780127 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1773463&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F386243919%2F Last Friday, during the American Society on Aging's Brain Health day, a participant made a comment along the lines, "I just completed my Masters in Gerontology at University XYZ. Despite my best efforts, I could not find a single brain-related class to attend as part of my studies. Which is why I decided to come to a conference like this". Incredible that this happens in 2008, a decade after the "Decade of the Brain". Healthcare and cognitive science seem to have inhabited different universes for too long. I hope we start to see more active cross-pollination between both fields. Gerontology would be a great place to start, given the growing demand for preventive programs to contribute to the cognitive health of an aging population. aging, aging population, American Soc... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1773463 Mon, 08 Sep 2008 04:35:30 +0100 1773463 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1747361&cid=t_152992_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=1734635&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn3.libsyn.com%2Fpdtogo%2FSMARTepisode131.mp3%3Fnvb%3D20080826191507%26nva%3D20080827191507%26t%3D0e70c50cd4dd296bc8133 As promised in my previous post on Neurogenesis and Brain Plasticity in Adult Brains, I will now list some interviews, video, articles, and books that go hand-in-hand with these fascinating topics we are discussing. Please comment below if you have favorite additional resources! NEUROGENESIS MIT news – Picower researcher finds neuron growth in adult brain Society for Neuroscience brain brief – Adult Neurogenesis BRAIN PLASTICITY Neuroscience for Kids – Brain Plasticity: What Is It? Society for Neuroscience brain brief – Brain Plasticity, Language Processing and Reading Brain Science Podcast – Ginger Campbell interview with Norman Doidge, MD, discussing Neuroplasticity, and his book The Brain That Changes Itself CBD Radio – Interview with Norman Doidge Carol Dweck discussing &qu... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1734635 Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:34:33 +0100 1734635 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1734637&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F374851157%2F Here are the dates and locations of some upcoming events where I will be presenting. Please introduce yourself if you are attending! >> September 4-5th, San Francisco, CA: several Brain Health Promotion sessions, at the American Society on Aging conference. >> October 11th, San Jose, CA: The Science and Practice of Brain Fitness, at San Jose State University's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. (Information here). >> October 23rd, Pocatello, Idaho: Cognitive and Emotional Training for Healthy Aging, at the Idaho Conference on Health Care. (Information here). >> November 1st, Berkeley, CA: The Science and Practice of Brain Fitness, at UC-Berkeley's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. (Information here). >> November 7-9th, Dubai: Global Agenda Councils Inaugural Summit in Dubai, organized by... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1734637 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 03:29:58 +0100 1734637 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1726835&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F371057730%2F A couple of quick notes about our blog: 1- We have just added a Search box to allow you easily find content in our 600+ article archive. Take a look at the top of the right sidebar, and let us know if you have any feedback! Btw, feel free to say Thank You to our reader Luc...whose feedback gave a new impetus to this Search option. 2-  You will also find a button named BOOKMARK at the bottom of all blog posts, including this one. This allows you to easily submit blog posts to the social media sites where you have accounts: Facebook, Digg, Reddit, StumbleUpon, Del.ic.ious, you name it. We appreciate your help in letting more people know about our articles and teasers! As always, any feedback is welcome. brain blog, Brain health, brain information, cognitive blogg, cognitive fitness, cognit... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1726835 Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:19:46 +0100 1726835 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1717977&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F368402470%2F Where does our “Feeling of Knowing” come from? Have you ever felt certain that you knew an answer even though you couldn’t think of it right off? Where does that “feeling of knowing” come from? The answer to this question is the focus of neurologist Robert Burton’s new book On Being Certain: Believing You Are Right Even When You're Not. I recently reviewed Dr. Burton’s book on the Brain Science Podcast and last week I had the opportunity to interview him for the show. He explained that one of the origins for his book was his experience with patients with conditions like Cotard’s syndrome (where the patient thinks he is dead or does not exist). What Dr. Burton calls the “feeling of knowing” is so strong that people consistently trust it even when their beliefs contradict... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1717977 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 01:26:55 +0100 1717977 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1710229&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F365164449%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.  First, I am pleased to report that I have been invited to participate in a new initiative by the World Economic Forum. Described as "In a global environment marked by short-term orientation and silo-thinking, Global Agenda Councils will foster interdisciplinary and long-range thinking to address the prevailing challenges on the global agenda", my specific Council will focus on the Challenges of Gerontology. More information on the Global Agenda Councils here. Will keep you updated via this blog. In the News Yes, It is Smart to Learn New Tricks: a recent Washingto... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1710229 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:32:30 +0100 1710229 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1672160&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F351742865%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 and Events Brain Health Promotion by the American Society on Aging: You may be interested in the excellent agenda the American Society on Aging has put together for health professionals, from September 2-5th in San Francisco, devoting a full day to Brain Health. Alvaro will participate in 3 of the sessions, including giving a keynote on the Future of Brain Health. Can Google Kill Neurons and Rewire Your Whole Brain?: The Atlantic Monthly published an article titled Is Google Making Us Stupid, which basically blamed Google for literally rewiring our brains into more stupid b... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1672160 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:25:42 +0100 1672160 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1668956&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F350618848%2F Some recent brain training and health news: 1) A Promising Debut for Computerized Therapies 2) Fitness protects brain in Alzheimer's patients 3) Brain Fitness Program Classic comes to Mac 4) Posit Science gains ownership of Scientific Learning (NSDQ: SCIL)´s BrainConnection. 5) Brain training on your mobile  6) You must remember this: how the mind works Here you have the links and my commentary for these news: 1) A Promising Debut for Computerized Therapies - "Against this difficult background, researchers at Yale report a paradigm-shifting approach that closes the gap to cost-effective real-world delivery of an effective cognitive-behavioral therapy(CBT) program for substance dependence. Cleverly called computer-based training for cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT4CBT),this info... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1668956 Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:04:47 +0100 1668956 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1649634&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F343731943%2F In an emerging, dynamic, high growth market, like brain training, it is difficult to make precise projections. But, we can observe a number of trends that executives, consumers, public policy makers, and the media should watch closely in the coming years, as brain fitness and training becomes mainstream, new tools appear, and an ecosystem grows around it. 1. We predict an increased emphasis on brain maintenance in locations ranging from retirement communities to gyms. As a computer-savvy baby boomer population looks for ways to stay mentally fit, brain fitness, or brain training, is becoming part of their vocabulary and concern. 2. Physical and mental exercise will be better integrated. Physical exercise has been shown to increase the rate of neurogenesis, whereas mental exercise helps ens... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1649634 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:49:38 +0100 1649634 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1561642&cid=t_152992_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=1553074&cid=t_152992_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F322402458%2F This study was small (38 adults were involved)—-the July 2008 issue of the the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders has a “much larger and more elegant study” by Helen Coo and Hélène Ouellette-Kuntz of the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Queens University, and Jennifer E. V. Lloyd of the Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP), and three other authors: The authors examined trends in assignment of special education codes to British Columbia (BC) school children who had an autism code in at least 1 year between 1996 and 2004, inclusive. The proportion of children with an autism code increased from 12.3/10,000 in 1996 to 43.1/10,000 in 2004; 51.9% of this increase was attributable to children switching from another special education classification... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1553074 Sun, 29 Jun 2008 05:07:10 +0100 1553074 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1553306&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F322096605%2F Try eating food with one chop stick.  It is possible, for certain types of food. But probably not the best approach. Let's now talk brain health. Dr. Larry McCleary is a former acting Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Denver Children's Hospital, and author of the The Brain Trust Program (Perigee Trade, 2007). He agreed to help us answer an important, yet often neglected, question: Given That We Are Our Brains, How do We Nourish Them? Alvaro: Dr. McCleary, Why did a former neurosurgeon such as yourself develop an interest in brain health public education? Dr. McCleary: For two reasons ... I am a Boomer and am trying to maximize my own brain health. Also, there is much exciting research documenting how we can be proactive in this regard. This information needs to be disseminated and I woul... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1553306 Sat, 28 Jun 2008 16:20:06 +0100 1553306 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1552375&cid=t_152992_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=1522807&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F312430920%2F Good morning, and Happy Father's Day to those in the US and a good number of other countries (see Wikipedia entry).    Let me share today this collection of informative and free Resources on how to improve/ maintain top brain health and performance: Brain Fitness Newsletter: our twice-a-month newsletter, written by SharpBrains staff and over a dozen guest neuroscientists, health professionals and educators, provides an informed, engaging and comprehensive window into Cognitive Fitness and Brain Health news. Glossary: key scientific concepts on Cognition and Brain Fitness. Neuroscience Interview Series: During the last 18 months I have interviewed over 15 cutting-edge neuroscientists and cognitive psychologists on their research and thoughts. Author Speaks Series: platform for leadi... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1522807 Sun, 15 Jun 2008 15:23:19 +0100 1522807 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1498076&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F305061756%2F A few quick updates:  1)  Yesterday we had a fun webinar with John Medina, author of Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School. You may enjoy checking out the slides we discussed. 2) Please remember that there is another webinar coming, next Tuesday. I hope you can join us! Webinar: In “The Science and Practice of Brain Fitness,” I will provide an overview of the Brain 101, latest research findings and implications for how to improve brain health and performance based on my class at UC-Berkeley Lifelong Learning Institute and speaking engagements. - Target audience: Anyone who wants to learn more about brain health and performance. This is designed to be not a technical session, but a fun, stimulating hour. - Date and time: Tuesday June 10th, ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1498076 Thu, 05 Jun 2008 05:17:21 +0100 1498076 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1489344&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F302622796%2F This reports gives anyone interested in how to understand which products are truly in a position to make a difference in brain function, and which markets will be interested and profitable for such products an invaluable guide. We found the analysis clear, precise, loaded with substantive insight. One would be foolhardy not to use this publication as the best guide to this market." -- Dr. Arthur Lavin, Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Case Medical School, and Medical Director of A Working Mind. "As we begin the task of developing a Brain Fitness Center at our Sunrise Senior Living Community, this Brain Fitness Market Report is proving helpful in numerous ways to develop our “road map” to navigate through the maze of information, myths and confusion that exists as ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1489344 Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:22:40 +0100 1489344 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1481146&cid=t_152992_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=1478518&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F300818189%2F We had an informative webinar this Tuesday, discussing the State of the Brain Fitness Software market today, based on the findings in our Market Report. In case you missed it, you can find below a link to check out and download the PowerPoint slides I presented (just the visuals, without audio) to cover these areas: 1- The Four Pillars for Brain Health 2- Cognitive Abilities can Be Assesed and Trained 3- An emerging field, and poised to grow 4- A confusing player landscape. Think "What For", not "Best". Link: State of the Brain Fitness Software Market 2008 Please remember that we have 2 upcoming webinars, and you can still register!: Webinar #2: In “Brain Rules for Thinking Smarter,” John Medina, developmental molecular biologist and author of Brain Rules: 12 P... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1478518 Thu, 29 May 2008 23:06:47 +0100 1478518 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1459144&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F294743841%2F In recent years, most professionals in aging have become aware of the growing scientific evidence showing that human brains retain the ability to generate neurons and change over a lifetime, discoveries that have broken the scientific paradigm prevalent during the 20th century. Furthermore, neuroimaging and cognitive training studies are showing how well-directed exercise presents people major opportunities for healthy brain aging. How can people use emerging technologies to keep their brains healthy and productive as long as possible? An emerging market for brain health-- $225 million market in 2007, in the United States alone, of which consumers account for $80 million--is trying to address that question in a way that complements other important more traditional pillars (and multi-billio... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1459144 Wed, 21 May 2008 03:29:03 +0100 1459144 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1446826&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F291394611%2F Here you are have the bi-monthly update with our 10 most Popular blog posts. (Also, remember that you can subscribe to receive our RSS feed, or to our newsletter, at the top of this page, if you want to receive this digest by email). We hope you have some time to share with us today. Just came back from a superb event on Brain Health Across the Lifespan...and many stimulating things are happening in the world of brain fitness.  News and Events Exercise your brain in the Cognitive Age: The New York Times published two thought-provoking articles on brain and cognitive fitness, one of them featuring SharpBrains. Brain Fitness Webinar Series: Alvaro has been travelling a great deal over the last 2 weeks to speak at a number of conferences (Games for Health, Innovation Institute, Learning... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1446826 Fri, 16 May 2008 04:33:11 +0100 1446826 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1440462&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F289188628%2F I have been travelling much over the last 2 weeks to speak at a number of conferences and universities. I promised I would be sharing some of the key highlights, but we have decided to do something better to do justice to the richness and complexity of the field we cover. We are going to launch an experiment: a Brain Fitness Webinar Series. This inaugural Brain Fitness Webinar Series will consist of 3 free live sessions. The series covers the most fundamental advances in cognitive science and their implications for individuals, companies and organizations. And we are honored to have John Medina lead of the sessions! Each event is independent, in topic and in registration process. Webinar #1: In “The State of the Brain Fitness Software Market, 2008,” I will provide an overview of the s... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1440462 Tue, 13 May 2008 05:08:45 +0100 1440462 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1434693&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F287836973%2F We recently prepared a Directory of Web Sites as part of our  Resources section. You will find some gems here, in a variety of areas: >> The Dana Foundation offers several excellent online resources: - Brainy Kids Online offers children, teens, parents and teachers links to games, labs, education resources and lesson plans. - BrainWeb: general information about the brain and current brain research, as well as links to validated sites related to more than 25 brain disorders. - Brain Resources for Seniors provides older adults and their caretakers with links to sites related to brain health, education and general information. >> PBS's The Secret Life of the Brain: fun website including a history of the brain, anatomy, illusions, brain scanning, and development from child through adulthood.... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1434693 Sun, 11 May 2008 03:06:49 +0100 1434693 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1411940&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F281148688%2F Here you are have the bi-monthly update with our 10 most Popular blog posts. (Also, remember that you can subscribe to receive our RSS feed, or to our newsletter, at the top of this page, if you want to receive this digest by email). In this edition of our newsletter we bring a few articles and recent news pieces that shed light on what "Use It or Lose It" means, and why we can start going beyond that to say "Use It and Improve It." The Neuron, The Brain, and Thinking Smarter New Neurons: Good News, Bad News: Dr. Bill Klemm, a professor of Neuroscience at Texas A&M University, summarizes the research on how new neurons are born and what they need to live long happy lives. Interviews with 16 Leading Scientists: Compilation of interviews with prominent neurosc... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1411940 Thu, 01 May 2008 00:40:23 +0100 1411940 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1389520&cid=t_152992_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=1362588&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F267480505%2F We just received these two very thought-provoking essays on Alzheimer's Disease and brain health. Which one do you find more powerful? why? what feedback would you give the authors? what are the implications of what they write? and, who would you guess wrote them? I know, many questions. Without further ado, here you are both Essays (We'll share some context, and the author's names, this Friday): Essay A. Preventing Alzheimer’s at Work 5,000,000: that is the number of people in the United States alone who are affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Research has shown that those who held jobs such as sanitation workers or trash collectors in their 30s, 40s, and 50s are more at risk for Alzheimer’s disease than people who held jobs such as doctors or scientists at the same age. If everyon... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1362588 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 05:53:35 +0100 1362588 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1344975&cid=t_152992_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=1341315&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F262119609%2F Two excellent blog carnivals-enjoy these superb editions, and discover many new quality blogs along the way: -Encephalon Goes to Paris (Hilton) [Of Two Minds]: best of bi-monthly neuroscience and psychology blog posts  -This Is, Like, Totally Rad Grand Rounds on April 1st, Okay?: best of weekly health and medicine posts  Blog Carnivals, Brain health, Health blogs, medicine, Neuroscience blogs, psycology (Source: SharpBrains) SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1341315 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:07:53 +0100 1341315 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1320618&cid=t_152992_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=1298179&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F250263243%2F Quick links to excellent resources: 1) FEATURE-Brain fitness seen as hot industry of the future (Reuters) 2) Learning & the Brain Conference for Educators and Clinicians. April 26-29, 2008. Cambridge, MA 3) Brain Health Across the Lifespan Seminar for Health & Aging Professionals. May 15th, 2008. San Francisco, CA For more info,   1) FEATURE-Brain fitness seen as hot industry of the future (Reuters) Note: Probably the most comprehensive article I have seen so far covering this emerging field, based on our market report and with original reporting. Highly recommended read.  2) Learning & the Brain Conference for Educators and Clinicians - April 26-29, 2008. Cambridge, MA Description: "Cognitive neuroscience has discovered that the brain is not ‘hardwired’ from... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1298179 Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:26:50 +0100 1298179 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1249091&cid=t_152992_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=1235031&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F235601555%2F A spate of recent news coverage on brain fitness and "brain training" reflects a growing interest in natural, non-drug-based interventions to keep our brains sharp as we age. This interest is very timely, given the aging population, increasing Alzheimer's rates, and soaring health care costs that place more emphasis than ever on prevention and changing lifestyle. This past Tuesday, the MIT Club of Northern California, the American Society on Aging, and SmartSilvers sponsored an event on The Emerging Brain Fitness Software Market: Building Better Brains to explore the realities and myths of this growing field. The panel was moderated by Zack Lynch, Executive Director of the Neurotechnology Industry Organization, and composed of a venture capitalist and 3 CEOs of program developers... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1235031 Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:10:57 +0100 1235031 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1170699&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F221136346%2F Starting this week, you will start seeing a growing number of Expert Contributors writing in our blog and website, so that we can collectively discuss the latest research and trends on cognitive and emotional training, brain fitness and health, and the implications of brain research in general for our everyday lives. All of it, spiced up by stimulating brain teasers. So, if you haven't already, make sure to subscribe to our newsletter (above) and our RSS feed (on the right). Let me introduce, In alphabetical order, the Expert Contributors who will share their knowledge with us in January and February. - Wes Carroll, SB in Computer Science and Engineering from MIT, and Puzzle Master for Ask a Scientist lecture series. - Simon Evans, PhD., and Paul Burghardt, PhD., who collaborate in the ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1170699 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 04:12:37 +0100 1170699 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1165497&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F220164457%2F Fyi, I will be teaching this workshop soon, as part of our collaboration with several Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes:    San José State University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (website) presents Title: Brain Fitness: The Science and Practice. When: Saturday, February 2, 2008 9:30-3:30 What: Neuroscientists have shown how the human brain retains neuroplasticity (the ability to rewire itself) and neurogenesis (creation of new neurons) during its full lifetime, leading to a new understanding of what aging means. In this class, we will review the science behind some of the key concepts in this field and explore their implications on our lifestyles in a fun and engaging way. We have all heard "Use it or lose it.” Latest research suggests, "Use it and improve it!”... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1165497 Mon, 21 Jan 2008 04:32:04 +0100 1165497 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1159684&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F218530685%2F As you may have noticed, we just changed a few things in our site, including preparing a more solid Resources section. Please take a look at the navigation bar at the top. One of the new pages, that we will update often, is an expanded Books page. Here are the books that we are recommending now. Fascinating books on neuroplasticity (the ability of the brain to rewire itself through experience): Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain: How a New Science Reveals Our Extraordinary Potential to Transform Ourselves - by Sharon Begley.   The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science - by Norman Doidge.   Great popular science books by our Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Advisor: The Executive Brain: Frontal Lobes and the Civilized Mind - by Elkhono... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1159684 Fri, 18 Jan 2008 00:26:09 +0100 1159684 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1119970&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F207339914%2F This article was written by Larry McCleary, M.D, for SharpBrains.com's Author Speaks Series. Dr. McCleary (blog) is a former acting Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Denver Children's Hospital. He is trained and has practiced as a pediatric neurosurgeon and has completed post-graduate training in theoretical physics. His scientific publications span the fields of metabolic medicine, tumor immunology, biotechnology and neurological disease. He is the author of The Brain Trust Program: A Scientifically Based Three-Part Plan to Improve Memory, Elevate Mood, Enhance Attention, Alleviate Migraine and Menopausal Symptoms, and Boost Mental Energy (Perigee Trade, 2007). aging, Author Speaks Series, Best of the Brain, book, book agent, book publishing, boost mental energy, brain building diet, ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1119970 Fri, 28 Dec 2007 05:16:05 +0100 1119970 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1109995&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F203805359%2F A quick note to alert you of two very interesting, growing, and somehow linked debates: 1) Very insightful article on The Aging of the Baby Boomers: What Does It Mean for the Legal Profession (thank you, Stephanie!). Some quotes: - "As I pen this article, it seems as though I’m writing about someone else—the older worker. Age and aging, it seems, are in the eye of the one looking back at you in the mirror. I have this theory, especially as it pertains to men, that when we look in the mirror, we still see that 20 year-old stud who can leap tall buildings. But I know that my vertical leap is not what it used to be. The reality of aging in the legal profession is upon me and those of our generation." - "Also, the perception of how old is old varies depending on the job o... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1109995 Fri, 21 Dec 2007 06:25:41 +0100 1109995 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1097359&cid=t_152992_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=1049143&cid=t_152992_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_152992_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=1002376&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F179309238%2F Very nice Los Angeles Times article on the growing research behind, and acceptance of, meditation in mainstream medicine (through what is called Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, or MBSR): Doctor's orders: Cross your legs and say 'Om'. A few quotes: - "It appears to work. In a new study, published in October in the journal Pain, Natalia Morone, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, tracked the effect of mindfulness meditation on chronic lower back pain in adults 65 and older. The randomized, controlled clinical trial found that the 37 people who participated in an eight-week mindfulness meditation program had significantly greater pain acceptance and physical function than a similar size control group. Subsequently, the control group took the same eight... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1002376 Sun, 04 Nov 2007 01:25:39 +0100 1002376 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=987378&cid=t_152992_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=966543&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F171811746%2F First of all, thank you for coming to enjoy our 50 brain teasers...the reaction was overwhelming. We will prepare more! Second, quick links to excellent health-related blog carnivals: Grand Rounds: the most comprehensive one Health Wonk Review: focused on public policy  Change of Shift:  nursing-oriented Medicine 2.0: on how web 2.0 interacts with the medical field Third, here you have a useful ranking of top 100 Health blogs. Our blog is #10, despite our niche focus on brain health and fitness! Brain health, health blogs, medicine blogs, wellness blogs addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sharpbrains.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F10%2F18%2Fhealth-medicine-and-wellness-blogs%2F'; addthis_title = 'Health%2C+Medicine+and+Wellness+blogs'; addthis_pub = 'sharpbrains'; (Source: SharpBrains) SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=966543 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 23:21:27 +0100 966543 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=966551&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F166243865%2F Great article on the growing brain fitness field. Rethinking the Brain Business: Why a mental-fitness program may be the start of something big. Some quotes: - "But Merzenich has loftier ambitions. He envisions his company as part of a new industry that will become a "mirror" of the drug industry. He wants to go far beyond simply sharpening memory and cognitive ability to tackle diseases as well. Instead of medications, he sees a business rooted in neuroscience that will use noninvasive computer exercises to rewire the brain, gradually training it back to mental health." - For now, Merzenich believes the emerging field of "brain health" is cluttered with bad science. He singled out Nintendo's brain games as an example of a product that has no science to back u... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=966551 Sat, 06 Oct 2007 18:37:03 +0100 966551 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=790707&cid=t_152992_109_f&fid=35677&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBrainBasedBusiness%2F%7E3%2F142361992%2Fmove_with_the_brain_in_mind.html  Feeling down today? Move around more at work and you may be able to shake more than those few extra pounds. You may well be able to shake off the slumps.  It’s quite commonly known that to move more will increase blood flow to the brain. New research now affirms that changes in brain blood flow influences depression. Medicexchange just released good news today … that Israel researchers found cues for treating depression in impaired brain blood flow. Led by led by Omer Bonne at Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center in Jerusalem, Israel, this study found that antidepressant decreased brain blood flow in the patients while electroconvulsive treatment was associated with additional decreases in blood flow.Earlier research showed cerebral blood flow in depressed pati... BrainBasedBusiness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=790707 Thu, 09 Aug 2007 14:27:08 +0100 790707 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=517839&cid=t_152992_122_f&fid=35065&url=http%3A%2F%2Feideneurolearningblog.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F04%2Fcomprehending-with-your-whole-brain.html Just had to share this picture from a recent Mason and Just review looking at Neuroimaging's contributions to our understanding of discourse processing. This is a long way from our neurology clerkship teaching of the Wernicke's area (one of the little green spots on the left side) for language comprehension.When we have a rich comprehension of a story, we don't just understand the words, we picture the imagery, we put ourselves into a story, we contextualize it, we empathize, and question what doesn't make sense. It makes perfect sense that comprehension is a whole brain activity, it's just that before functional imaging, there wasn't an easy way to show this. This paper also reminds me of how crude our understanding of brain is with a "pathological" bias of brain function (deduce brain fu... Eide Neurolearning Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=517839 Tue, 03 Apr 2007 07:02:00 +0100 517839