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 'cognitive fitness'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:28:38 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934548&cid=t_106995_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=4762850&cid=t_106995_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FJJpc_cY72x4%2F Discussion moved from cognitive fitness to neuroplasticity, across regulatory and policy trends, and new product launches by new and established players  What did we take home from the SharpBrains Summit? Was it novel consumer insights arising from a new retail landscape? What of policy initiatives from innovation clusters around the globe? Do you see a future populated by neuroscience toolkits, driven by the inexorable demographic changes set to occur in the coming decades? Or was it a look “under the hood” of technology platforms developed by category leaders that sharpened our insight? Here are 10 emerging themes: The Need for Standardization of methodologies A profusion of cognitive and emotional health tests, batteries and new technologies are crowding the research environment... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4762850 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 15:41:34 +0100 4762850 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4747652&cid=t_106995_109_f&fid=34752&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPsychsplash%2F%7E3%2Ffa0J3zFFe7A%2F URL: http://www.premier.net/~gero/contents.html“building a bridge between the past and the future…” Geropsychology Central helps those who are concerned with helping older persons and their families maintain well-being, overcome problems, and achieve maximum potential during later life stages. This site involves people who have particular knowledge, skill, training and experience related to the aging process, and in dealing with older persons and the special issues that affect them. For: Anyone, ConsumersTopics: Behaviour Management, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive Fitness, Cognitive Training, Common Factors, Depression, General Psychology, Health Promotion, Health Psychology, Health and Social Services, Life, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Mental Health Promotion, Qual... PsychSplash blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4747652 Mon, 25 Apr 2011 17:00:39 +0100 4747652 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4610895&cid=t_106995_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=4314005&cid=t_106995_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fon-the-value-of-open-mindedness%2F2011.01.05 Three recent sto­ries lead me to my open­ing topic for the year: The value of open-mindedness. This char­ac­ter­is­tic — a state of recep­tive­ness to new ideas — affects how we per­ceive and process infor­ma­tion. It’s a qual­ity I look for in my doc­tors, and which I admire espe­cially in older people. Piece #1 — On the brain’s matu­rity, flex­i­bil­ity and “cog­ni­tive fitness” For the first piece, I’ll note a Dec 31 op-ed piece that appeared in the New York Times: This Year, Change Your Mind, by Dr. Oliver Sacks, the neu­rol­o­gist and author. In this thought­ful essay, he con­sid­ers the adult brain’s “mys­te­ri­ous and extra­or­di­nary” power to adapt and grow: “I have seen hun­dreds of patients with var­i­ous deficits &#8212... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4314005 Wed, 05 Jan 2011 22:00:57 +0100 4314005 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4098062&cid=t_106995_109_f&fid=34752&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPsychsplash%2F%7E3%2FVT5lekdzgnM%2F URL: http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=368Family Caregiver Alliance is a public voice for caregivers, illuminating the daily challenges they face, offering them the assistance they so desperately need and deserve, and championing their cause through many means. For: Anyone, ConsumersTopics: ADHD, Anxiety, Aspergers, Behaviour Management, Child and Adolescent, Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Eating Disorders, Emotional Health, General Psychology, Life, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Mental Health Promotion, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Personality disorders, Attachment, Clinical Decision Making, Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Fitness, Common Factors, Developmental, Health and Social Services, Life, Lifestyle, Quality of Life, RelationshipsFeatures... PsychSplash blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4098062 Fri, 22 Oct 2010 17:00:35 +0100 4098062 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3610371&cid=t_106995_109_f&fid=34752&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPsychsplash%2F%7E3%2Fcm0Mhn4Y9gg%2F URL: http://www.tbiguide.com/Nearly all of the survivors of a traumatic head injury and their families with whom I have worked have had one complaint: There is nothing written that explains head injury in clear, easy to understand language. Most say the available material is too medical or too difficult to read. The goal of this online book is to better prepare the head injured person and family for the long road ahead. For: AnyoneTopics: Clinical Psychology, Cognitive, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive Fitness, Cognitive Training, Depression, Emotional Health, Mental Health, Neurophilosophy, Neuroscience, Quality of Life, Self-help, TraumaFeatures: Information, e-learning, ebookNearly all of the survivors of a traumatic head injury and their families with whom I have worked have ... PsychSplash blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3610371 Sat, 29 May 2010 14:59:16 +0100 3610371 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3382883&cid=t_106995_109_f&fid=34752&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPsychsplash%2F%7E3%2FjoaNcbaZVbM%2F URL: http://www.nasponline.org/The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) is the premier source of knowledge, professional development, and resources, empowering school psychologists to ensure that all children and youth attain optimal learning and mental health. For: Anyone, StudentsTopics: ADHD, Academia, Addiction, Behaviour Management, Child and Adolescent, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive Fitness, Depression, Educational Psychology, Lifestyle, Parenting, Psycho-education, YouthFeatures: Advertising, Articles, Careers, Collaborative News, Commentary and Blogs, Community and Social Networking, Conferences, Forums, Information, Journals, Links, Societal or Organizational Membership, e-learningThe National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) is the premier source... PsychSplash blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3382883 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:00:21 +0100 3382883 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2943945&cid=t_106995_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=2943946&cid=t_106995_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FL4Vkd6TGdG4%2F Here you have the October edition of our monthly newsletter covering cognitive health and brain fitness topics. Please remember that you can subscribe to receive this Newsletter by email, using the box at the top of this page. We recently run an online survey among subscribers of our monthly eNewsletter, and over 500 people said we have helped them make better personal or professional decisions on how to maintain and improve brain fitness. Most gave very illuminating examples, which we are reading and enjoying as we speak. Respondents also had many good questions to ask, so I have selected 15 common ones, paraphrased/ synthesized them below, and answered them by linking to our most relevant posts and resources. I hope you enjoy the FAQ session. Q: I teach a brain fitness class at my librar... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2943946 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:32:09 +0100 2943946 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2904997&cid=t_106995_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FL4Vkd6TGdG4%2F We recently run an online survey among subscribers of our monthly eNewsletter, and over 500 people said we have helped them make better personal or professional decisions on how to maintain and improve brain fitness. Most gave very illuminating examples, which we are reading and enjoying as we speak. Respondents also had many good questions to ask, so I have selected 15 common ones, paraphrased/ synthesized them below, and answered them by linking to our most relevant posts and resources. I hope you enjoy the FAQ session. Q: I teach a brain fitness class at my library/ senior center/ school, using much of your info. Can you share some of your presentations? A: Yes, we have just decided to share, using a Creative Commons Attribution No Derivatives License, the full presentation of my recen... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2904997 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:32:09 +0100 2904997 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2637770&cid=t_106995_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FtH5dO2duwrE%2F It’s been 224 years since Paul Revere made his famous “Midnight Ride” from Boston to Lexington to warn the British were coming, but had Paul Revere been alive today he may have alerted people that the 5th Annual Games for Health Conference was being held in Boston on June 11 and 12. This year’s conference boasted a record number of attendees – nearly 400 people – and included over 55 sessions, three expo rooms, and two new tracks focused at some of the fastest growing areas in Health eGames – Exergaming and Cognitive Health. I attended this year’s Games for Health Conference, giving a presentation on Healthy Advergaming and I also featured some new healthy gaming initiatives in the iConecto booth. At last year’s Games For Health Confere... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2637770 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:56:37 +0100 2637770 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2602105&cid=t_106995_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FK6SqC-qPCLo%2F The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety just started to recommend a new driver safety program called DriveSharp (see AAA and Posit Release Program to Improve Drivers' Minds), developed by Posit Science. DriveSharp is a computerized cognitive assessment and training tool based on Karlene Ball's research on older adults' cognitive fitness and driving.  In the press release for the agreement, Peter Kissinger, driver safety research and policy veteran and CEO of the AAA Foundation, says that "Part of making our nation's roads safer is helping mature drivers who wish to stay active - a quickly growing population - maintain or improve their driving safety." We have Peter Kissinger with us to discuss the context for this innovative initiative. Peter, I appreciate your time. In order to s... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2602105 Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:18:19 +0100 2602105 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2398980&cid=t_106995_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FAyoXV9F9bj4%2F Stanford Issues Findings from Cognitive and Brain Experts Urging Consumer Caution on Memory Fitness Products (press release) - "Fear of memory loss, mental impairment and Alzheimer's disease lead many consumers to search for products --- from supplements to software --- that claim to ward off such ailments," Laura L. Carstensen, founding director of the Stanford Center on Longevity, said. "Such products are becoming more prolific, but this burgeoning industry is completely unregulated and the claims can range from reasonable though untested, to blatantly false. It is important for consumers to proceed with caution before buying into many of these product claims. There is no magic bullet solution for cognitive decline." - The Summit's (Note: held in April 2008) statement... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2398980 Fri, 08 May 2009 23:38:05 +0100 2398980 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2348529&cid=t_106995_109_f&fid=34752&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPsychsplash%2F%7E3%2F_KgcPEazPQo%2F URL: http://www.bodypositive.com/Change your mind, change your culture, and let your body be! A wide-ranging body image site for women and girls of all sizes. This is a body-disparagement-free zone! For: Consumers, Consumers, Anyone, ConsumersTopics: Anger, Anxiety, Attachment, Behaviour Management, Child and Adolescent, Emotional Health, Family Therapy, Parenting, Personality disorders, Youth, Abnormal, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Eating Disorders, Behaviour Management, Child and Adolescent, Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Fitness, Depression, Eating Disorders, Fitness, Life, LifestyleFeatures: Articles, Forums, Information, RSS Feeds, Articles, Commentary and Blogs, Information, Articles, Forums, Information, e-learning Change your mind, change your culture, and let your body be! A w... PsychSplash blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2348529 Sun, 12 Apr 2009 17:00:40 +0100 2348529 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2259393&cid=t_106995_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.rawvoice.com%2Fpmn_brainsciencepodcast%2Fmedia.libsyn.com%2Fmedia%2Fbrainsciencepodcast%2F54-brainscience-Merzenich.mp3 "Whatever you struggle with in a sense as it stems from your neurology, the inherent plasticity of the brain gives you a basis for improvement. This is a way underutilized and under-appreciated resource that well all have." Dr. Michael Merzenich on the Brain Science Podcast #54, 2/13/09. Recently there has been growing controversy about the effectiveness of computer-based cognitive training programs. As a co-founder of Posit Science, Inc. Dr. Michael Merzenich is a staunch defender of the methods his company uses to validate the programs that they have developed. But for the purposes of this essay, I want to share some of the key ideas we discussed during his recent interview on the Brain Science Podcast. First of all, I asked him to discuss some of the highlights of his long car... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2259393 Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:28:44 +0100 2259393 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2141904&cid=t_106995_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sharpbrains.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F01%2F28%2Ften-reflections-on-cognitive-health-and-assessments%2F Let me summarize ten highlights and reflections from stimulating discussions on cognitive health and assessments I have had this month so far. January 8-9th: Symposium on Co-Adaptive Learning: Adaptive Technology for the Aging (details Here), organized by the Arizona State University's Center for Adaptive Neural Systems: 1. Cognitive health is a critical factor in overall healthcare, but is often approached in a fragmented, non-systematic way. Most speakers in the symposium did mention how cognitive health issues interact with their specific areas of focus (aging, Parkinson's Disease, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's...) but there was a lack of a common framework and taxonomy to define the problem and identify solutions and interventions to measure and help maintain cognitive health acr... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2141904 Thu, 29 Jan 2009 05:39:17 +0100 2141904 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2116516&cid=t_106995_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F516782566%2F Brain Fitness Coming to Senior Exercise Classes (press release): - "The American Senior Fitness Association (SFA) has announced a new brain fitness training program designed for exercise professionals. Brain Fitness for Older Adults teaches senior fitness instructors and personal trainers how to incorporate effective cognitive fitness into physical activity programs, offering seniors the opportunity to boost both physical and mental fitness simultaneously." Comment: a very timely initiative, given the interest we see in brain fitness education and initiatives, and the benefits of both physical and mental exercise on brain health. It makes a lot of sense to enhance public awareness through train-the-trainer initiatives. What remains unclear in this SFA program is what is the direc... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2116516 Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:39:25 +0100 2116516 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1896126&cid=t_106995_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F427662710%2F "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 cost of ownership will help set you on the right path." You can continue reading my first guest column at McKnight's Long Term Care News here: Navigating the brain fitness landscape: do's and don'ts Brain Fitness, brain fitness product, cognitive fitness, cognitive fitness product, long term care, products, senior living, senior living residents (Source: SharpBrains) SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1896126 Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:15:41 +0100 1896126 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1803239&cid=t_106995_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_106995_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=1780126&cid=t_106995_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F386733579%2F Conclusions. Vendors mentioned in the special report: Posit Science, Dakim, UCLA Memory Fitness, Nintendo, CogniFit, Cogmed, Lumos Labs, Happy Neuron, My Vigorous Mind. You can click here for purchase and download ($25). American Seniors Housing Association, Belmont Village, Brain Fitness, brain fitness centers, brain fitness program, brain fitness tools, CCRC, cogmed, cognifit, cognitive fitness, Dakim, Erickson, Happy Neuron, lumos labs, My Vigorous Mind, nintendo, Posit Science, Senior Star Living, seniors housing, seniors housing residents, UCLA Memory Fitness addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sharpbrains.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F09%2F08%2Fbrain-fitness-centers-in-senior-housing-a-field-in-the-making%2F'; addthis_title = 'Brain+Fitness+Centers+in+Senior+Housing+-+A+Field+in+the+Making'; ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1780126 Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:42:18 +0100 1780126 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1726835&cid=t_106995_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=1723969&cid=t_106995_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F370226149%2F Interesting market news: Dakim’s [m]Power Adopted by 150 Senior Living Communities ... (Business Wire) - "Dakim Inc. announced today that its [m]Power® Cognitive Fitness System has now been adopted by more than 150 senior living communities" - "Users include Sunrise Senior Living, Front Porch Communities, Diakon Lutheran Services, Ecumen, Eskaton, Benchmark Assisted Living, and Los Angeles Jewish Home for the Aging. Several neurologists and a local Alzheimer’s Association chapter office have also purchased the system." - “Other products are static. You buy a CD, put it in the computer, and that’s it. People get bored and stop using them. Dakim has found a way to keep people coming back to challenge their ability, and that’s what our residents are doing.” (... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1723969 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:13:15 +0100 1723969 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1631979&cid=t_106995_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F336912992%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 Analysis Computerized Cognitive Assessments: opportunities and concerns: health companies and the military are starting to use new tools to assess brain functions in contexts that neither neuroimaging nor traditional neuropsychological testing can reach. This is a critical piece of the brain fitness puzzle that is worth keeping track of, full of opportunities, but also privacy concerns. Cognitive Health News Roundup: recent news covering studies on mental training and DNA, on nutrition and the brain, and more. Science Improve Memory with Sleep, Practice, and Testing: ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1631979 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:48:02 +0100 1631979 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1509844&cid=t_106995_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F309354311%2F Our fellow blogger Jeremy over at PsyBlog has written a thoughtful post comparing the value of a number of cognitive enhancing tools. His overall verdict? "The evidence for exercise boosting cognitive function is head-and-shoulders above that for brain training, drugs, nutritional supplements and meditation. Scientifically, on the current evidence, exercise is the best way to enhance your cognitive function. And as for its side-effects: yes there is the chance of an injury but exercise can also reduce weight, lower the chance of dementia, improve mood and lead to a longer life-span. Damn those side-effects!" Article: Which Cognitive Enhancers Really Work: Brain Training, Drugs, Vitamins, Meditation or Exercise? Jeremy, I started writing this as a comment to your post in your bl... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1509844 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 06:42:31 +0100 1509844 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1501538&cid=t_106995_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F307119481%2F I just read a very interesting article in Newsweek: Executive Functions: The School Skill That May Matter More Than IQ. A few quotes: - "But recent advances in psychology and brain science are now suggesting that a child's ability to inhibit distracting thoughts and stay focused may be a fundamental cognitive skill, one that plays a big part in academic success from preschool on. Indeed, this and closely related skills may be more important than traditional IQ in predicting a child's school performance." - "EF (executive functions) comprises not only effortful control and cognitive focus but also working memory and mental flexibility—the ability to adjust to change, to think outside the box." - "When the teacher holds up a circle they clap, with a triangle they ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1501538 Sun, 08 Jun 2008 02:38:20 +0100 1501538 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1418695&cid=t_106995_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F282910329%2F In the past two days, The New York Times has published two excellent articles on brain and cognitive fitness. Despite appearing in separate sections (technology and editorial), the two have more in common than immediately meets the eye. Both raise key questions that politicians, health policy makers, business leaders, educators and consumers should pay attention to. 1) First, Exercise Your Brain, or Else You’ll ... Uh ..., by Katie Hafner (5/3/08). Some quotes: - "At the same time, boomers are seizing on a mounting body of evidence that suggests that brains contain more plasticity than previously thought, and many people are taking matters into their own hands, doing brain fitness exercises with the same intensity with which they attack a treadmill." - "Alvar... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1418695 Sat, 03 May 2008 20:03:03 +0100 1418695 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1375295&cid=t_106995_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F271198476%2F Here you are have the bi-monthly Digest of our most Popular blog posts. (Also, remember that you can subscribe to receive our blog RSS feed, or to our newsletter at the top of this page if you want to receive this digest by email). Brain Fitness News and Events Upcoming Events: I will be speaking at five Health, Education and Gaming events over the next couple of months to introduce findings from our recent market report. Please introduce yourself if you attend any of these events. Preventing Memory Loss-Special Issue: Congressional Quarterly Researcher, one of the main publications on Capitol Hill, published an impressive 24-page special issue titled Preventing Memory Loss. Highly recommended if you want to be on top of the latest research trends and their policy implications. Cogni... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1375295 Wed, 16 Apr 2008 05:38:11 +0100 1375295 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1346336&cid=t_106995_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F262844677%2F The next Learning & the Brain conference edition is April 26-29, 2008, in Cambridge, MA. We recommend it highly for educators interested in learning more about latest brain research findings and implications for teaching. See Detailed program. Description: Cognitive neuroscience has discovered that the brain is not ‘hardwired’ from birth, but holds a remarkable lifelong power to change—a phenomenon called ‘plasticity.’ Positive or negative environments, exercise, nurturance, learning, and other experiences continue to change the brain throughout life. These revolutionary findings point to new possibilities for ‘rewiring’ the brain to help overcome learning disorders and to enhance memory, learning, IQ and achievement in all learners. - Brain-based teaching for children,... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1346336 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 18:30:29 +0100 1346336 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1250600&cid=t_106995_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F239188305%2F Physical fitness. Cognitive/ brain fitness. Both require novelty, variety and challenge. Professor Schlomo Breznitz, a scientific and business leader in the cognitive fitness field, explains why, eloquently, below. Perhaps "we want change" really means "we need change". Enjoy! ------------------------ Why are everyday life challenges not sufficient to keep our brains fit? -- By Prof. Shlomo Breznitz Often, when describing the benefits of MindFit to brain health, I am asked by people in the audience whether this software is really needed. After all, so they argue, life provides continues cognitive challenges, which should suffice for ensuring brain fitness. From the moment we wake up until we go to sleep our brains have to attend to complex stimuli, plan many activities,... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1250600 Fri, 22 Feb 2008 14:26:43 +0100 1250600 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1249090&cid=t_106995_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F239188305%2F Physical fitness. Cognitive/ brain fitness. Both require novelty, variety and challenge. Professor Schlomo Breznitz, a scientific and business leader in the cognitive fitness field, explains why, eloquently, below. Perhaps "we want change" really means "we need change". Enjoy! ------------------------ Why are everyday life challenges not sufficient to keep our brains fit? -- By Prof. Shlomo Breznitz Often, when describing the benefits of MindFit to brain health, I am asked by people in the audience whether this software is really needed. After all, so they argue, life provides continues cognitive challenges, which should suffice for ensuring brain fitness. From the moment we wake up until we go to sleep our brains have to attend to complex stimuli, plan many activities,... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1249090 Fri, 22 Feb 2008 05:23:57 +0100 1249090 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1198833&cid=t_106995_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F228755260%2F A roundup of several excellent articles this week: Keeping Your Brain Fit (US News and World Report) - "In a study of more than 2,800 people ages 65 or older, Harvard researchers found that those with at least five social ties—church groups, social groups, regular visits, or phone calls with family and friends—were less likely to suffer cognitive decline than those with no social ties." - "The working hypothesis is that it has something to do with stress management," says Marilyn Albert, a neuroscientist at Johns Hopkins and codirector of the Alzheimer's research center there. In animal studies, a prolonged elevation in stress hormones damages the hippocampus. Social engagement appears to boost people's sense of control, which affects their stress level. Creative ar... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1198833 Mon, 04 Feb 2008 07:35:05 +0100 1198833 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1162720&cid=t_106995_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F219450554%2F Did you read about the recent experiment where young chimps displayed amazing visual working memory capability, beating humans? - You can watch a short video here. - Lumos Labs has released a very fun game to test your own skills: try out this Chimp Game!   Also, some very good recent news articles: 1) Is it worth going to the mind gym? (New Scientist). This is one of the best articles we have read in a while (unfortunately requires subscription). - "Birdwatching is the brainchild of San Francisco-based Lumos Labs, just one of the dozens of companies that have sprung up in recent months to cash in on the "brain-training" craze. Like most of its competitors, the theory behind ..." Comments: the article introduces readers to much of the research and scientists we disc... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1162720 Sat, 19 Jan 2008 16:26:55 +0100 1162720 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1142929&cid=t_106995_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F214647734%2F Neuroscientists at Columbia University Medical Center (see our previous interview with Yaakov Stern on the Cognitive Reserve) have asked for help in recruiting volunteers for an exciting clinical trial. If you are based in New York City, and between the ages of 60 and 75, please consider joining this study. More information below: --------------------------- Use it or Lose it? Train your Brain! Healthy adults between the ages of 60 and 75 living in NYC are invited to join a study of mental fitness training. Qualified individuals will play a scientifically-based video game in our laboratory, and will be tested to determine the effects on attention, memory, and cognitive performance. You will earn up to $600 plus transportation costs if you complete the 3-month program. This exciting study i... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1142929 Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:50:45 +0100 1142929 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1084654&cid=t_106995_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F198090188%2F The holidays are approaching and you can expect many software and game developers to advertise their products aggressively, trying to get you buy their "brain training" products for you or as a gift for a loved one. The good news is that there are more and more tools we can use to keep mentally stimulated and even train and improve specific cognitive abilities (like processing speed, short-term memory...). You may be reading about Nintendo Brain Age, Posit Science, MindFit, Lumosity, Happy Neuron, MyBrainTrainer, emWave, StressEraser and more. And, of course, there are also non-technology based interventions. The bad news is that it is difficult to separate marketing from scientific claims, and to understand which one, if any, may be a good complement to other healthy lifestyle... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1084654 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 20:06:52 +0100 1084654 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1063152&cid=t_106995_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F193174916%2F Here you are have the Monthly Digest of our Most Popular Blog Posts. You can consider it your monthly Brain Exercise Magazine. (Also, remember that you can subscribe to receive our RSS feed, check our Topics section, and subscribe to our monthly newsletter at the top of this page if you want to receive this Digest by email).  Gratitude is a very important emotion to cultivate, as Professor Robert Emmons tells us in this interview, based on his last book. Please take some time to read it, and to find at least one thing you are thankful for-it will be good for your health. We are grateful about a very stimulating November: Brain Fitness Market News 10 Neurotechnology Trends: a leading industry organization released their Top 10 NeuroTrends for 2007, and brain fitness matters appeared in... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1063152 Fri, 30 Nov 2007 22:25:40 +0100 1063152 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1035796&cid=t_106995_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F186979443%2F Some weeks ago we explained how useful Concept Maps can be to quickly visualize the key ideas in a field, and their relationships. Let me show you this fantastic example. A few weeks ago I was interviewed by David Peskovitz of the Institute for the Future (blog) to discuss The Future of Work and Cognitive Fitness trends. They had an artist who drew the graph below IN REAL TIME, AS WE SPOKE. Very impressive. Please open the full image by clicking on it, and spend a few minutes reading around, top-down, left-to right. You will learn much about how HR and Corporate Training departments can start thinking about Brain Fitness (therefore becoming "Cognitive Resources Managers"), and also how to display complex information in beautiful visual form.     "   Given the so-calle... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1035796 Mon, 19 Nov 2007 06:07:25 +0100 1035796 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=992244&cid=t_106995_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F177347253%2F Over the last year we have interviewed a number of leading brain health and fitness scientists and practitioners worldwide to learn about their research and thoughts, and have news to report. What can we say today that we couldn't have said only 10 years ago? That what neuroscience pioneer Santiago Ramon y Cajal claimed in the XX century, "Every man can, if he so desires, become the sculptor his own brain", may well become reality in the XXI. And influence Education, Health, Training, and Gaming in the process. We have only scratched the surface of what science-based structured cognitive (i.e., mental) exercise can do for brain health and productivity. We are now witnessing the birth of a new industry that crosses traditional sector boundaries and that may help us understand, as... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=992244 Tue, 30 Oct 2007 23:23:03 +0100 992244 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=990121&cid=t_106995_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F177055227%2F The Harvard Business Review just published (thanks Catherine!) this article on Cognitive Fitness, by Roderick Gilkey and Clint Kilts. We are happy to see the growing interest on how to maintain healthy and productive brains, from a broadening number of quarters. The article provides a reasonable introduction to general brain science, yet could be more clear and research-based in the assessment, training and recommendations sections. In such an emerging field, though, going one step at a time makes sense. The HBR Description of the article: Recent neuroscientific research shows that the health of your brain isn't, as experts once thought, just the product of childhood experiences and genetics; it reflects your adult choices and experiences as well. Professors Gilkey and Kilts of Emory Univ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=990121 Tue, 30 Oct 2007 08:00:05 +0100 990121 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=966545&cid=t_106995_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F170226344%2F Very good article in the LA Times today. Like a StairMaster for the brain: Can mental workouts improve the mind's agility? Baby boomer concerns stimulate an industry expansion. The reporter, Melissa Healy, reviews the healthy aging segment in the Brain Fitness field. A few selected quotes: - "There is plausibility, both biological and behavioral, to the claim that these may work," says Molly Wagster, chief of the National Institute on Aging's neuropsychology branch. "But it is still a situation of 'buyer beware.' " - "I see this as a new frontier of fitness overall," says Alvaro Fernandez, founder and chief executive of the website SharpBrains .com, which tracks the business and science of brain-training. Americans already understand the value of physical fi... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=966545 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 20:49:37 +0100 966545 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=499898&cid=t_106995_109_f&fid=34752&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPsychsplash%2F%7E3%2F104210821%2F Cognifit provides software that promotes cognitive fitness. Founded by Professor Schlomo Breznitzand combining the talents of psychologists, programmers, web developers and graphic designers, Cognifit has developed a range of cognitive fitness products (e.g., DriveFit, MindFit) for consumers looking to train their mind. Cognitive Fitness is built upon the “use it or lose it” assumption, namely that activities which place some level of cognitive load on the brain, promote greater brain fitness and hence longer lasting “cognitive vitality”. Put more simply, the analogy is the same as physical fitness: exercise your muscles, and they will be stronger and serve you better over time. The Cognifit website outlines their key products (demos are available), recent cognitive... PsychSplash blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=499898 Sun, 25 Mar 2007 03:14:38 +0100 499898