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 'functions'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:04:27 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5069646&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F7WRGFlNNhZU%2F New study shows Transcendental Meditation improves brain functioning in ADHD students (press release): - “Prior research shows ADHD children have slower brain development and a reduced ability to cope with stress,” said Dr. Stixrud. “Virtually everyone finds it difficult to pay attention, organize themselves and get things done when they’re under stress,” he explained. “Stress interferes with the ability to learn—it shuts down the brain. Functions such as attention, memory, organization, and integration are compromised.” - Dr. Stixrud added, “Because stress significantly compromises attention and all of the key executive functions such as inhibition, working memory, organization, and mental flexibility, it made sense that a technique (such as Transcendental Meditation) th... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5069646 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 20:35:14 +0100 5069646 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4953136&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2011%2F06%2Fresearch-byte-age-related-cognitive.html Note that the final model (above) is consistent with prior research I included in McGrew (2005) and which is also online here. There is clearly strong evidence for the primary role of processing speed (Gs) playing a indirect role on cognition mediated via working memory.- iPost using BlogPress from my Kevin McGrew's iPadintelligence IQ tests IQ testing IQ scores CHC intelligence theory CHC theory Cattell-Horn-Carroll human cognitive abilities psychology school psychology individual differences cognitive psychology neuropsychology neuroscience psychology special education educational psychology psychometrics psychological assessment psychological measurement IQs Corner general intelligence working memory executive function cognitive control processing speed working memory Gsm Gs aging cogni... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4953136 Sun, 19 Jun 2011 16:45:00 +0100 4953136 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893680&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2011%2F06%2Fresearch-byte-anxiety-and-cognitive.html Very interesting article by Derakshan and Eysenk (2009) that explains/defines attentional control theory and its role in working memory and executive functions. The focus is on the influence of anxiety on attentional control, cognitive performance, and cognitive efficiency. I have made my annotated comments with value added links via the IQs Reading feature of IQs Corner blog.Enjoy. - iPost using BlogPress from my Kevin McGrew's iPadintelligence IQ tests IQ testing IQ scores CHC intelligence theory CHC theory Cattell-Horn-Carroll human cognitive abilities psychology school psychology individual differences cognitive psychology neuropsychology neuroscience psychology special education educational psychology psychometrics psychological assessment psychological measurement IQs Corner general ... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893680 Wed, 01 Jun 2011 16:28:00 +0100 4893680 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4829084&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F4nxLYTlQzms%2F Conclusions Aerobic exercise seems to benefit overweight children not only physically but also mentally. These findings mirror the ones observed in the aging population. Aerobic exercise influences cognition through the increase of growth factors such as brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which leads to increased capillary blood supply to the brain and growth of both new neurons and synapses. With childhood obesity on the rise, these are very timely findings. In addition, exercise is a simple solution to increase physical health and mental performance. Something to tell to your school board, over and over! Related posts: Fitter bodies = fitter brains. True at all ages? Exercise as a Treatment for ADHD (Source: SharpBrains) SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4829084 Mon, 16 May 2011 17:59:30 +0100 4829084 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4522189&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FEu6bR1jN2O4%2F Here is a fun and interactive version of the famous Stroop test. This test is used in neu­ropsy­cho­log­i­cal eval­u­a­tions to mea­sure men­tal speed and flex­i­bil­ity, the hallmarks of executive functions. Performing well on the test requires strong atten­tion and self-regulation. Your job is to name the colors of the words. Do NOT read the words but the color of the ink used to write the words. For example, if the word “GREEN” is printed in a red color, you should say “RED” (and refrain from saying “GREEN”!) Speed matters so try to say the colors as fast as you can. A nice feature here: You will be able to record your reaction times. Ready to have fun? GO (Source: SharpBrains) SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4522189 Fri, 25 Feb 2011 14:16:23 +0100 4522189 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4464596&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FwejuIjZ-Z6Y%2F Both children and adults need a good night sleep to function at their best. A recent study, summarized here, suggests that this is true for babies too: How much sleep a 12 month old baby gets can influence the development of his/her executive functions. Executive functions, supported by the frontal lobes of the brain, are often considered as indicators of children’s likelihood of succeeding in school. They involve decision-making, problem-solving, plan­ning, inhibit­ing, as well as other high-level func­tions (social behav­ior, emo­tional con­trol, work­ing mem­ory, etc.). Researchers asked parents to complete three-day sleep journals when their infants were 12 and 18 months.[…] three variables were identified: total hours of sleep, percentage of total sleep occurring between 7... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4464596 Fri, 11 Feb 2011 20:16:50 +0100 4464596 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4436845&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FhhTb65BWQDQ%2F In conclusion our research has shown that cryptic crosswords can help improve cognitive functioning in later life, which might not be the case for general knowledge crosswords. Overall the take-home message is continue doing the cryptic crosswords, even if they are a struggle! —  Nicholas Almond has been based at the University of Leeds, UK, for almost twelve years. Nick has just completed his PhD in cognitive neuropsychology, which investigated the relationship between cognitive activity and cognitive decline in healthy aging. . References 1. Hambrick, D. Z., Salthouse, T. A. & Meinz, E. J. (1999). Predictors of Crossword Puzzle Proficiency and Moderators of Age-Cognition Relations. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 12(2), 131–164. 2. Dunlosky, J., Kubat-Silman, A. K. & Her... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4436845 Fri, 04 Feb 2011 15:13:30 +0100 4436845 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4338110&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2Flt_1SrI1T_Y%2F This study shows that this may be true only for specific, high-level functions.  Indeed, here training probabilistic inference benefited several perceptual and sensory tasks. So, it may be that the more basic the function trained, the more tasks the function will be involved in and thus the more tasks will benefit from the training. Something to keep in mind when choosing which mental activity may be the right one for you. Who may benefit from the sensory improvement provided by playing action video games? Many people for whom it is important to make quick decisions based on visual or auditory information (if you are a surgeon or in the middle of a battle field). Focusing on vision, Daphne Bave­lier, one of the authors of the study, suggested that “inter­ven­tions that include action... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4338110 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 17:30:27 +0100 4338110 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4294827&cid=t_160769_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=4241835&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FXtT5veL6888%2F My interest in the brain stems from wanting to better understand both how to make school more palatable for students, and professional development more meaningful for faculty. To that end, I began my Neurons Firing blog in April, 2007, have been doing a lot of reading, and been attending workshops and conferences, including Learning & the Brain. If you agree that our brains are designed for learning, then as educators it is incumbent upon us to be looking for ways to maximize the learning process for each of our students, as well as for ourselves. Some of what follows is simply common sense, but I’ve learned that all of it has a scientific basis in our brains. 1. Review and 2. Reflection are two means for thinking about what is being learned. Review can be done in the moments after ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4241835 Wed, 08 Dec 2010 19:25:24 +0100 4241835 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4163062&cid=t_160769_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fsexual-functions-in-alcoholic-men%2F Image via Wikipedia Evaluation of Sexual Functions in Turkish Alcohol-Dependent Males Male alcoholics and men in recovery may suffer the effects of drinking and smoking. A study in 2008 was conducted to evaluate sexual functions of alcoholic men. The study found that; 47% of alcohol-dependent men had their first sexual experience before they were 18 years old, 64.4% had multiple partners, 1.7% experienced a sexually transmitted disease, 7.7% had a chronic disease, and 18.3% had pain during intercourse. 70.3% of participants had a mild erectile dysfunction, and 4.4% had a moderate erectile dysfunction. Predictors of erectile dysfunction in chronic alcohol dependent male were determined as; age of subject, age of onset for alcohol use, duration of alcoholism, and cigarette ... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4163062 Fri, 12 Nov 2010 15:59:41 +0100 4163062 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4119372&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FB0tuOcj_dkI%2F Visual illusions are fun and interesting: They can tell us a lot about our brain. The brain has two hemispheres, each divided into four lobes. Each lobe is responsible for different functions. For instance the frontal cortex (in blue here) is responsible for decision making and planning; the temporal lobe (in green) for language and memory; and the parietal lobe (in yellow) for attention and spatial skills. The occipital lobe (in red) is entirely devoted to vision: It is thus the place where visual illusions happen. The frontal lobe represents 41% of total cerebral cortex volume; the temporal lobe 22%; the parietal lobe 19%; and the occipital lobe 18%. There is thus a huge part of our brain devoted to processing visual information. How the visual system processes shapes, colors, sizes, etc... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4119372 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 19:02:00 +0100 4119372 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4105765&cid=t_160769_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F10%2F25%2Flove-in-the-brain%2F Ahh, what researchers won’t study. Is nothing sacred, even the most spiritual of matters of the heart, such as love? Now research out of Syracuse University by Stephanie Ortigue (that’s her, pictured), suggests that there are measurable brain changes when a person falls in love. She gathers this idea from a review of the research literature of neuroimaging studies (studies that primarily used something called functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI) that have examined people in love. She found that all of the fMRI studies of love point to “subcortical dopaminergic reward-related brain systems (involving dopamine and oxytocin receptors).” These are similar to the rewards a person feels when taking cocaine. The study’s new findings are that there are 12 s... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4105765 Mon, 25 Oct 2010 16:28:42 +0100 4105765 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4055827&cid=t_160769_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=3845187&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FuaJVh6D6qUc%2F I was really interested in the recent critique of the BBC brain training experiment by Dr. Elizabeth Zelinski. I think Owens et al (2010) was a critical piece of research which was not conducted in the right way and was focusing on the wrong sample population.  I totally agree with the comments by Dr. Zelinski regarding the potential for sample bias and the use of some questionable cognitive measures. However, I would like to take this critique further and question whether the study was value for money when there are other studies which cannot achieve funding but would, in my opinion, show the criticism/scepticism of the use-it-or-lose-it theory. I think there is not enough criticism about the age of the sample population used in Owens et al. (2010). We have conclusive cognitive and neuro... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3845187 Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:14:16 +0100 3845187 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3737140&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FuKpYLNAv230%2F This study supports another one we commented on a few years ago on how Bilingual brains stay sharp longer: “In short: learning and speaking a foreign language provides constant brain exercise to the frontal lobes, the area of the brain right behind your forehead that focuses our attention, helps us ignore distractions, and make decisions.” (Source: SharpBrains) SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3737140 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:01:20 +0100 3737140 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3463713&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FYXFdEmrHH7M%2F Please remember we are accepting entries until end of this Thursday, April 15th. Winners will be announced on May 24th, 2010. How to Apply: Organizations can use this Entry Form to submit entries (opens a Word document). Description: the new annual Brain Fitness Innovation Awards, designed to foster innovation and best practice sharing by celebrating outstanding pioneers who apply neuroplasticity-based research and tools in the “real world”. The awards will recognize organizations that are devising and implementing results-oriented and scalable initiatives that demonstrate their commitment to the brain fitness of their clients, members, patients, students or employees, and showcase innovative uses of non-invasive tools to improve cognitive and emotional functions and real-world outcom... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3463713 Mon, 12 Apr 2010 17:34:55 +0100 3463713 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3457906&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2010%2F04%2Freearch-briefs-4-10-10-working-memory.html The cognitive neuroscience constructs of working memory and executive function (EF) are hot topics in all areas of cognition.  Although working memory measures are now showing up on most contemporary IQ tests, the measurement of executive functioning (EF) is not...and is typically measured by special purpose tests, tests that all suffer from a solid empirical foundation of research that clearly specifies the elements of, relations between, operational definitions of, etc. the components of EF.I was thus excited to see the table of contents for the recent issue of the Journal of Intellectual Disability Research (see below), as it focuses primarily on working memory and EF research for people with ID/MR.  My excitement was short-lived as I found that, at least at my Universities li... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3457906 Sat, 10 Apr 2010 17:10:00 +0100 3457906 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3460120&cid=t_160769_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F10%2Firreversible-effects-of-previous-cortisol-excess-on-cognitive-functions-in-cushings-disease%2F April 8th is Cushing’s Awareness Day. This day has been chosen as a day of awareness as it is the birthday of Dr. Harvey Cushing, a neurosurgeon, who discovered this illness. Cushing’s disease is a rare hormone disease caused by prolonged exposure to high levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the blood, whereas Addison’s disease [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3460120 Sat, 10 Apr 2010 14:03:21 +0100 3460120 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3338252&cid=t_160769_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F03%2F06%2Flearning-about-transcendental-meditation%2F Discussion tab makes clear feuding editors battling for control about tone and focus. I don’t know what to make of transcendental meditation personally, but I find studies like the recently published one interesting. I know people who use it and swear by its positive effects (but I also know people who use other techniques and methods and swear by them as well). I suspect some of the skepticism comes from the pseudo-religious nature of technique, or the fact that it costs money to learn it. But in my experience, many things worth learning cost money (look at my graduate education, for instance). My only concern is that if it is something that is “simple, natural, effortless, and easily learned,” why does it cost $1,500 and an entire day to learn? I’ve read enough t... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3338252 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 13:32:15 +0100 3338252 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3149187&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FcYw8eK7cwQs%2F In this January issue of our eNewsletter, we will first brief you on the enlightening demos that will take place on Wednesday, January 20th, as part of the SharpBrains Summit, and then present the 15 most stimulating SharpBrains articles of 2009. Expo Day If you want to see and discuss the latest programs and technologies for brain fitness, presented by Summit Sponsors, Wednesday January 20th is your day. Each demo will last 30 minutes, followed by 15 minutes of Q&A. 9am. Baycrest/ Cogniciti will introduce the new Memory@Work workshop, designed to teach what memory is, how lifestyle factors such as distraction and stress can affect memory, and how to enhance memory performance at work with the use of enabling strategies. 10am. CogniFit will demo CogniFit Personal Coach and CogniFit Sen... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3149187 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 04:34:33 +0100 3149187 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3133701&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=35066&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneurodudes.com%2F2009%2F12%2F31%2Fcatalina-vallejos-statement-of-purpose-art%2F I devote my life to the momentary constructions for the purpose of maintaining a regular study of neural biochemistry, processes, patterns, and networks whose effects on a performance installation would successfully present a solution. An example of this is affecting a site’s mood initally set up by a pre-set design, with a resulting performance based upon the affected concentration of biochemicals in each present body. The modulation of mood and perception, as evoked or supressed by the artwork itself. A more specific example of this is the observation of different levels of dehydration which affect the integral effectiveness of body enzymes by varying concentrations. This type of work is relevant since exemplary leading behaviours are that which initiate communication before utterance ... neurodudes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3133701 Thu, 31 Dec 2009 05:23:25 +0100 3133701 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3044879&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F2wBLXqKGsKE%2F Discussion on the future of computerized cognitive behavioral therapy; United BioSource acquires Cognitive Drug Research; innovative partnership between Navigenics and Posit Science; new research on brain impact of Tetris; how a drop in visual skills may precede Alzheimer’s Disease;  excellent report by the National Academies for the US Army available for free now. Brain Teaser Who will you believe, me or your own eyes? discover the 3 Winners of the 2009 Best Visual Illusion of the Year Contest. Neuroscientists Susana Martinez-Conde and Stephen Macknik, who help organize the contest, will give a fun demo on Magic and the Brain at SharpBrains Summit, to discuss the limits of human perception and cognition. Enjoy the final month of 2009! (Source: SharpBrains) SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3044879 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:30:59 +0100 3044879 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2934658&cid=t_160769_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FPdmtrRWCvCg%2F Over at Flypaper, Andy Smarick can’t figure out what the Obama administration thinks is the proper federal role in education. A couple of weeks ago, commenting on a speech by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Smarick couldn’t tell whether Duncan was advocating that the feds be friendly Helpy Helpertons, no-excuses disciplinarians, or something in between. Yesterday, Smarick revisited the whither-the-feds theme, pointing out the frustrating contradiction when Duncan both praises local and state education control and blasts states for doing stuff he doesn’t like. But Duncan isn’t alone in his fuzziness, according to Smarick, who says he’s ”yet to come across anyone with a comprehensive, water-tight argument for what the feds should and s... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2934658 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:30:54 +0100 2934658 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2924900&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FGe5cptnSnbE%2F A few eternal questions: - Is caffeine good for the brain? - Does it boost cognitive functions? - Does it protect against dementia? There is little doubt that drinking that morning cup of coffee will likely increase alertness, but the main questions that research is trying to answer go beyond that. Basically: is there a sustained, lifetime, benefit or harm from drinking coffee regularly? The answer, so far, contains good news and bad news. The good news for coffee drinkers is that most of the long-term results are directionally more positive than negative, so no clear harm seems to occur. The bad news is that it is not clear so far whether caffeine has beneficial effects on general brain functions, either short-term or long-term (aged-related decline or risks of dementia). It is important ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2924900 Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:22:26 +0100 2924900 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2886581&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fdisseration-dish-preschool-inhibitory.html This study examined the relationship between different types of inhibitory control abilities in preschool-age children and academic achievement, including both reading and math skills. Participants included 347 4- and 5-year-old children who were given a battery of tasks which tapped into three domains of inhibitory control (delaying gratification, slowing down/inhibiting motor activity, and initiating and suppressing a response to signal). Academic achievement was assessed using three subtests of the Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Achievement including the Letter-Word Identification, Passage Comprehension, and Quantitative Concepts subtest. Using structural equation modeling, the results indicated that the observed inhibitory control measures at ages 4 and 5 were not measuring common laten... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2886581 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:50:00 +0100 2886581 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2621874&cid=t_160769_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Ffive-ways-visual-communications-approach-can-help-medical-practices-get-more-their-emr-systems Although stimulus money incentives have been provided for hospitals and health systems to adopt electronic medical records, medical practices, for the most part, have had to make this significant investment on their own.   Buying the right EMR system remains a major monetary investment as well as a daunting task for overstretched medical practice staff and physicians.  These practices need to find the right technology to mesh with their processes in order to experience a strong return on their investment, which most understand to be time and money saved. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2621874 Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:19:12 +0100 2621874 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2517305&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fintelligencetesting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fneural-efficiency-executive-function.html I give up. I don't have the time, or maybe the neural efficiency, to read, digest, integrate, and summarize a wave of recent research articles dealing with the concept of neural efficiency (oscillations) and intelligence. That being said, I'm simply going to post the references and abstracts. Maybe an interested IQ's Corner blog reader would be interested in reading these articles and attempting to summarize (via a guest blog post)...something I had hoped to do. When less is more and when more is more: The mediating roles of capacity and speed in brain-behavior efficiency (Bart Rypma and Vivek Prabhakaran). Intelligence 37 (2009) 207–22.An enduring enterprise of experimental psychology has been to account for individual differences in human performance. Recent advances in neuroimaging ha... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2517305 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:48:00 +0100 2517305 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2511975&cid=t_160769_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=2511970&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fintelligencetesting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fwcst-does-it-really-measure-frontal.html ConclusionsThe present interest in prefrontal cortex function has renewed the use of the WCST in clinical and experimental settings. However, much criticism has questioned the utility of this test as a marker of prefrontal function. A critical review of clinical studies suggests that the original WCST does not distinguish between frontal and non-frontal lesions. Likewise, functional neuroimaging studies confirm that delivery of negative feedback during WCST rule transitions activates a widespread network of frontal and non-frontal regions within a split-second time scale. New methodological and conceptual advances from theory-guided experimental designs, precise spatial and temporal sampling of brain activity, and modern integrative models of prefrontal function (Miller, 2000) combined wit... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2511970 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:59:00 +0100 2511970 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2441693&cid=t_160769_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F05%2F26%2Fwhy-antidepressants-do-live-up-to-the-hype-i-see-a-cup-half-full%2F I always get a little irritated with articles like the one recently published in Time magazine: “Why Antidepressants Don’t Live Up to the Hype” by John Cloud. Why? Because I know that somewhere out there is a person who is desperately in need of treatment for severe depression, but an article like that could be the deciding factor not to pursue it. I know that because I’ve been there. Three years ago a friend who was opposed to my taking medication handed me a copy of O Magazine’s article, “The Valley of the Dulls: On Taking Antidepressants,” which featured interview after interview with folks who claimed that antidepressants zapped their creativity, personality, cognitive functions, and range of emotions. I was on my way to a psychiatric consul... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2441693 Tue, 26 May 2009 11:56:51 +0100 2441693 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2367655&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FzBtmD4uGBe8%2F You may be reading all about brain fitness and brain training. It seems every week brings a new barrage of articles and studies which often contradict what you read the month before: Does Gingko Biloba help delay Alzheimer’s Disease? Can physical exercise help you stay sharp as you age? Which computer-based “brain fitness programs”, if any, are worth your money? All this coverage reflects very exciting scientific findings but also poses a key dilemma: How to become an informed lifelong learner and consumer when there are few and contradictory authoritative guidelines? The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness (to be published in May 2009; $24.95) aims to fill that void. This guide is the result of over a year of extensive research including more than a hundred interviews with scientists... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2367655 Fri, 24 Apr 2009 22:19:12 +0100 2367655 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2211917&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FmgzGobDdyZs%2F In April 2008, Baycrest, a leading research institute focused on aging and brain function, received $10-million from the Ontario Government to create a groundbreaking Centre for Brain Fitness. Its stated goal was to “develop and commercialize a range of products designed to improve the brain health of aging Ontarians and others around the world”. “Our government is proud to support Baycrest and its invaluable work, which is already leading to the discovery of important new tools and approaches to treating brain diseases associated with aging,” said Minister of Research and Innovation, John Wilkinson. We have Baycrest’s CEO with us today, to explore why Ontario and Baycrest chose to become pioneers in this area, and discuss some of the main opportunities, and challenges. Dr. Will... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2211917 Mon, 23 Feb 2009 22:43:35 +0100 2211917 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2036115&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F482872906%2F In this study, we examined whether playing strategy-based video game can train those executive functions and improve them. We showed that playing a strategy-based videogame (Rise of Nations Gold Edition) can result in not only becoming a better videogame player but it transferred to untrained executive functions. We saw a significant improvement in task switching, working memory, visual short-term memory, and mental rotation. And some, but more limited, benefits in inhibition and reasoning. I can share a few details on the study: the average age was 69 years, and the experiment required around 23 hours of training time. We only included individuals who had played videogames 0 hours/ week for the last 2 years. That last criteria is interesting. We typically say that good “brain exercise�... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2036115 Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:24:58 +0100 2036115 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2006970&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F473213588%2F Today's news: McDonnell Foundation grant harnesses cognitive science to improve student learning (press release) - "Using what cognitive psychologists are discovering in the laboratory to improve learning in the classroom is the goal of a $6.47 million collaborative activity grant to Washington University from the James S. McDonnell Foundation (JSMF)." - "The aim of the grant is to take the knowledge that cognitive psychologists have gained about learning and memory from laboratory experimentation and to develop techniques to improve learning in the classrooms," said Henry L. "Roddy" Roediger III, Ph.D., principal investigator on the grant and the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor in Arts & Sciences. Comment: this is great news, but it... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2006970 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:30:59 +0100 2006970 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2006971&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F472517560%2F We have just announced an upcoming webinar to provide a market update:  Top 10 Cognitive Fitness Events of 2008 - A Market Update. When: Thursday December 11th, from 12:00 to 1:00 pm Pacific Time. The same webinar will be repeated on Thursday December 18th, from 9:00 to 10:00 pm Pacific Time. The Top 10 Cognitive Fitness Events that will be discussed include: 1) February: Dakim secures a $10.6m investment from Galen Partners. Jack LaLanne becomes spokesperson. 2) April: The Government of Ontario, Canada, invests $10m in Baycrest to develop and commercialize cognitive fitness technologies. 3) April: University of Michigan researchers reveal in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences how computerized working memory training can generalize and improve fluid intelligence in heal... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2006971 Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:36:23 +0100 2006971 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1575896&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F326177263%2F What's the ultimate "brain training"? Learning. We at SharpBrains love to learn, and to see others learn. That's why we hope you enjoy this essay by educator Laurie Bartels as much as we do. --- 10 Brain Tips That Help Me Teach…and Learn -- By Laurie Bartels My natural rhythms are in cycle with the school calendar. January 1st takes a back seat to my new year, which gets ushered in with the month of September when there is crispness in the air that gradually shakes off the slower, more relaxed pace of summer. Conveniently, my career in teaching meshes with my natural cyclical year. And as this year draws to a close, I am reenergized by the pace of summer, knowing that anything may pop in to my mind as I engage in activities not directly related to school. But before that happen... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1575896 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:53:43 +0100 1575896 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1501538&cid=t_160769_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=1460967&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=35066&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneurodudes.com%2F2008%2F05%2F21%2Fhyperthymestic-syndrome-perfect-automatic-memory%2F This report describes AJ, a woman whose remembering dominates her life. Her memory is “nonstop, uncontrollable, and automatic.” AJ spends an excessive amount of time recalling her personal past with considerable accuracy and reliability. If given a date, she can tell you what she was doing and what day of the week it fell on. She differs from other cases of superior memory who use practiced mnemonics to remember vast amounts of personally irrelevant information. We propose the name hyperthymestic syndrome, from the Greek word thymesis meaning remembering, and that AJ is the first reported case. (Source: neurodudes) neurodudes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1460967 Wed, 21 May 2008 20:13:53 +0100 1460967 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1454341&cid=t_160769_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F05%2F20%2Fready-aimpee%2F Most of us use the toilet, well, to put it delicately, to relieve the body of no longer needed products. But for two Belgian beer fans, that’s simply not enough. Seems that they think you should be able to relieve yourself and shot aliens or slalom down ski slopes at the same time. To that end, they designed and have recently released the ‘Place to Pee’ video game. It’s set up in a booth and caters for two users at a time. Gamers (ie pee-ers) score by aiming and hitting sensors positioned on either side of the urinal. And ladies, if you think that it’s just a ‘man thing’, think again. Seems that they have created a paper cone allows women to play too. Lucky us! Personally, I think these guys have more than one beer too many!!! (source - Reuters) Ta... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1454341 Tue, 20 May 2008 14:23:07 +0100 1454341 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1437333&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F288396148%2F Daniel Lende and Greg Downey run the though-provoking Neuroanthropology blog. Daniel also teaches a class at University of Notre Dame, and he asked his students to submit group-based blog posts in lieu of the traditional final essays. He explains more on Why A Final Essay When We Can Do This?. Below you have a spectacular post written by 4 of his students. They show how brain imaging is starting to provide a window into the plasticity (glossary here) of our brains, and how our very own actions impact them. For good and for bad. Understanding Brain Imaging --- By Chris Dudley, Matt Gasperetti, Mikey Narvaez, and Sarah Walorski Do you remember the anti-drug public service announcement from the 1980s that showed an egg frying in a hot pan which represented your brain on drugs? During the ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1437333 Mon, 12 May 2008 02:55:42 +0100 1437333 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1418695&cid=t_160769_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=1317769&cid=t_160769_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F03%2F20%2Ffun-with-farts-all-the-facts-you-never-needed-to-know%2F The way I chastise my husband and kids for erroneously “letting one rip”, I’m actually quite amazed that I’m writing this post. But when I read what one of my favorite health blogs, The Body Odd at msnbc.com had to say about breaking wind, even a prude like me began to appreciate the finer points of flatulence. So, in the spirit of noisy bum-rumblings, I present to you some Fart Fun Facts. Enjoy! From The Body Odd: • On average, a fart is composed of about 59 percent nitrogen, 21 percent hydrogen, 9 percent carbon dioxide, 7 percent methane and 4 percent oxygen. Less than 1 percent of their makeup is what makes farts stink. 
 • The temperature of a fart at time of creation is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. 
 • Farts have been clocked at a speed of 10 feet per se... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1317769 Fri, 21 Mar 2008 02:17:58 +0100 1317769 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1072585&cid=t_160769_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F195556995%2F This study shows that chimps can memorize at a glance the numerals presented on the screen, and that they can do so just as well - and even better - than humans can. Note that the superior performance came from a young chimp, and that the performance of older chimps on the same task was more similar to that of humans." - Watch video Impressive, isn't yet? Yet, a clear indication that memory is not all that matters. Please compare the "intelligence" (in any way you want to define it), the quality of thinking, displayed by those apes, with the one displayed in this recent interview with Bill Drayton at Good Magazine, founder of Ashoka and one of the parents of the social entrepreneurship movement. Quotes: - "Ashoka (and all of us in the GOOD community) are serving the mos... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1072585 Thu, 06 Dec 2007 00:53:38 +0100 1072585 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=933041&cid=t_160769_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fstudy-shows-senors-often-remember.html I just started a new blog called "Life Story Telling" about writing life histories. With this in mind, an article at PsychArticles Direct about Autobiographical Memory that I read today about seniors was especially interesting because it says seniors can "travel back in time to relive personal events in the most distant past better than those in the recent past." As a caregiver who assists many different people, I often see people in their 80's and 90's who might remember the time they moved to a new home as a teen-ager, but not remember events from last week.The authors studied the effects of aging on autobiographical memory on 180 people. The nature of memories over five lifetime periods were studied. The study was originally published in "Psychology and Aging."Family members and caregiv... The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=933041 Sun, 07 Oct 2007 02:15:00 +0100 933041 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=932162&cid=t_160769_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fsmarter-seniors-study-says-74-is-new-59.html This study provides additional encouragement for staying mentally active and keeping our environments enriched with learning opportunities. (Source: The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News) The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=932162 Sat, 06 Oct 2007 03:13:00 +0100 932162 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=896824&cid=t_160769_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2F160724729%2F U.S. biomedical engineers have demonstrated a smart particle insulin release system that detects glucose spikes and releases insulin to counter them. Researchers at the University of Texas School of Health Information Sciences, led by Associate Professor Ananth Annapragada, said the system is designed to mimic the functions of the pancreas, which produces the hormone insulin. This system worked in stabilizing blood sugars in animals for up to 6 hours. How does this work in plain English… or at least easy to understand words? Well, there are liposomes that are coated with sugars to form the inhaled particles, and when sugars becomes present in the blood, the particles bind independently to the sugar then releasing the particles that release their insulin. So basically, they bind to th... Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=896824 Mon, 24 Sep 2007 19:01:05 +0100 896824 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=793007&cid=t_160769_137_f&fid=35371&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthecaregiver.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fnewly-discovered-antibody-may-be-bodys.html In what could prove to be an important development in the search for a treatment of Alzheimer's disease, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center physician-scientists say the results of an initial (Phase I) clinical study provide encouraging evidence that antibodies derived from human plasma can capture the beta-amyloid protein in blood and exert positive effects on patients' thinking abilities.Read more at the Alzheimer's Reading Room: Newly Discovered Antibody May Be Body's Natural Defense Against Alzheimer's (Gammagard) (Source: CareGiver, The) CareGiver, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=793007 Fri, 10 Aug 2007 15:47:00 +0100 793007