Top 10 questions on the development of the child's brain - Brain Health Series Part 1

Q: brain development depends only on genes?

A:. No, brain development begins is the result of a complex interaction between genes and environment, brain development in utero. Billions of neurons are generated. They migrate from their birthplaces to their final positions in the embryo. Axons and dendrites grow and connections (synapses) between nerve cells are formed. These mechanisms may be wired, which is determined by genetics.Once compounds are formed, the employees of business mechanisms come into play. If a connection is strengthened or eliminated are determined by the activity of this compound, which means that the experiences of the child / baby from.

An example of how the environment affects brain development: Rutter et al. (1998) studied Romanian orphans adopted and brought to England before the age of two (about 6 months ago). If to judge on their arrival, the children have been shown tohighly malnourished and developmentally impaired. If after a few years in the environment of the adoptive parents' (aged 4) tested, the children have shown great progress and physical development, particularly those adopted before 6 months.

Q: How can a child outwitting his / her genes?

A: Yes, this can be done, says Richard Nisbett, the author of "Intelligence and how to get it: Why do schools and cultures Count". In this interview, Nisbett explores the interaction between genes, the school andIntelligence: "If our genes largely determine our IQ, which in turn strengthens our ability in the course of our lives, then what is the role of the school"

In another interview, this child prodigy Joshua Waitzkin is exchild American chess player, author and martial arts competitor, as it depends on learning to know.

Q: Are children born with more or fewer neurons and synapses as adults?

A: Children are more neurons and synapses, and was born as adults. In aStudy in 2007, Abitz, Damgaard et al. 8 human infant brain compared to those of 8 adult brain and showed that the mean estimates of adult neurons were 41% lower than that of the newborn. What happens to these extra neurons and connections then? The synaptic response is cut (or pruning of neurons).

Synaptic pruning is a regulatory process that the total number of neurons is reduced by an excess production of "elimination" of the weaker synapses. A synapse is a weak synapsesThis is not used much, which shows that experience is an essential component of brain development.

Q: 'Under 5 years is the only critical period for brain development?

A: No, brain development is a continuum from birth to 20 years or so. A "critical period" in development is a time early in the life of an organism, while the body has a very high sensitivity to certain stimuli in the environment. If the stimuli in the environment areBody to develop in a certain way. If the stimuli, not during the critical period exists, it may be difficult or sometimes impossible, to develop some functions. For example, if a child does not see the light in the first months of life (at least 6 months), the nerve and the processing of visual input neurons degenerate and die.

The best known example of the critical period comes the critical period hypothesis (Lenneberg, 1967), which means that the first statesYears of life are the time, developed in language easily. After that, learning a difficult language and usually less successful.

This is the case, however, that "everything that has happened 5 years ago?" Want to be a critical period for 0-5 years, all cognitive skills important? No development is more of a trajectory, a continuum. Show brain imaging studies and other studies have shown that the brain is not fully developed until the age of 18-20 In particular, the frontal lobes of theThe brain's role in the decision, organization, planning and strategy development involved the latest wired to function as an adult.

Q: What is a game to bring a child?

A: Research has shown that play is crucial for the physical, mental and social-emotional for all ages. This is particularly true in the purest form of play: the unstructured, self-motivated, imaginative, independent kind, where children start their own games and even invent their ownown rules. In other words, it plays a powerful method of cognitive and emotional development for children and adults.

Q: Can a child with ADHD trained to control the attention?

A: Yes, in particular the training of working memory has an indirect effect on attention. Many studies have shown that such training can be beneficial for children with attention problems. More generally, as Michael Posner, a prominent scientist in the field of cognitive neuroscience, saysThe focus is to control complex, but can be trained.

Q: Can a child control his / her feelings?

A: Parents and teachers tell children countless times "calm" or "respect". But the natural course of development of a child means that the circuits of the brain to calm and focus a work in progress. Fortunately there are ways to help children: meditation training a very effective tool seems to support children to manage their emotions and improveIntelligence.

Q: Can the art of pushing a child's academic performance?

A: Some studies suggest that the arts can increase test scores, although the results are not always causal. Scientists have noted psychologist Michael Posner, the brain activity of children 4-7 years, while on the computer exercises is to focus the attention of the investment in quality work of art to imitate. The researchers concluded that art can trainchildren's attention, which in turn improves cognition.

Q: What is the effect of music on the brain of a child?

A: 'listening to Mozart make babies smarter? It turns out that despite all the publicity he received the so-called Mozart effect is supported by a few scientific evidence. However, learning to make music in the long-term positive changes to the brain. Music lessons can improve specific skills that are directly associated with the music asImproving motor skills, but also more general skills such as working memory.

Q: What is the effect of video games on the brain of a child?

A: For years, video games have been brought to aggression and violence in collaboration with researchers and media reports suggesting that violent games have inspired or even result in violence. But not all games are the same. Some games may be a child's visual skills, such as the ability to gather relevant information by a rapid pushSequence of visual events, or the ability to resolve small details or see a weak model. Other games can also improve general brain functions such as empathy: Actually, the video games with positive goals can actually inspire people to perform acts of charity.

Dr. Pascale Michelon

The Top 10 Brain Health Books of 2008 - Ready For Some Mental Exercise?

Here you have The 10 Most Popular Brain Fitness & Cognitive Health Books of 2008. I hope you find them as stimulating as I did!

1. Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School (Pear Press, March 2008)

- Dr. John Medina, Director of the Brain Center for Applied Learning Research at Seattle Pacific University, writes an engaging and comprehensive introduction to the many daily implications of recent brain research.

2. The Beck Diet Solution: Train Your Brain to Think Like a Thin Person (Oxmoor House, March 2007)

- Dr. Judith Beck, Director of the Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy and Research, connects the world of research-based cognitive therapy with a mainstream application: maintaining weight-loss.

3. The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science (Viking, March 2007)

- Dr. Norman Doidge, psychiatrist and author of this New York Times bestseller, brings us "a compelling collection of tales about the amazing abilities of the brain to rewire, readjust and relearn".

4. Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain(Little, Brown and Company, January 2008)

- Dr. John Ratey, an associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, summarizes the growing research on the brain benefits of physical exercise.

5. The Art of Changing the Brain: Enriching the Practice of Teaching by Exploring the Biology of Learning (Stylus Publishing, October 2002)

- Dr. James Zull, Director Emeritus of the University Center for Innovation in Teaching and Education at Case Western Reserve University, writes a must-read for educators and lifelong learners.

6. Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain: How a New Science Reveals Our Extraordinary Potential to Transform Ourselves (Ballantine Books, January 2007)

- Sharon Begley, Newsweek' excellent science writer, provides an in-depth introduction to the research on neuroplasticity based on a Mind & Life Institute event.

7. Thanks: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier (Houghton Mifflin, August 2007)

- Prof. Robert Emmons, Professor of Psychology at UC Davis and Editor-In-Chief of the Journal of Positive Psychology, writes a solid book that combines a research-based synthesis of the topic as well as practical suggestions.

8. The Executive Brain: Frontal Lobes and the Civilized Mind (Oxford University Press, January 2001)

- Dr. Elkhonon Goldberg, clinical professor of neurology at New York University School of Medicine, provides a fascinating perspective on the role of the frontal roles and executive functions through the lifespan.

9. The Brain Trust Program: A Scientifically Based Three-Part Plan to Improve Memory (Perigee Trade, September 2007)

- Dr. Larry McCleary, former acting Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Denver Children's Hospital, covers many lifestyle recommendations for brain health in this practical book.

10. A User's Guide to the Brain: Perception, Attention, and the Four Theaters of the Brain (Pantheon, January 2001)

- In this book (previous to Spark), Dr. John Ratey provides a stimulating description of how the brain works. An excellent Brain 101 book to anyone new to the field.

Let me ask you know...have you already chosen a book to read next?

Copyright (c) 2009 SharpBrains

The 10 books on brain health in 2008 - for the 'spiritual training?

Here you have the 10 most popular Cognitive Brain Fitness and health books of 2008. I hope you find them as stimulating as I do!

1. Brain Rules 12 principles for surviving and thriving at work, home and school (Pear Press, March 2008)

- Dr. John Medina, director of the Brain Center for Applied Learning Research at Seattle Pacific University, writes a binding and comprehensive introduction to the daily impact of many recent brainSearch.

2. The Beck Diet Solution: Train Your Brain person, think like a thin (Oxmoor House, March 2007)

- Dr. Judith Beck, director of the Beck Institute of Cognitive Therapy and Research, links the world of research-based cognitive therapy with a broad question: maintaining weight loss.

third brain that change: stories of personal triumph from the frontiers of Brain Science (Viking, March 2007)

- Dr. Norman Doidge,Psychiatrist and author of the New York Times bestseller list, it brings us ", a collection of compelling stories about the amazing capabilities of the brain to learn a new, thread and ask."

4. Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain (Little, Brown and Company, January 2008)

- Dr. John Ratey, an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, summarizes the benefits of exercise for more research on the brain.

5.The Art of Changing the Brain: enrichment of teaching practice through research on the biology of learning (Stylus Publishing, October 2002)

- Dr. James Zull, Director Emeritus of the University Center for Innovation in teaching and training at Case Western Reserve University, writes a must for educators and students to read throughout their lives.

6. Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain: How a new science reveals our extraordinary potential to transform ourselves books (Ballantine,January 2007)

- Sharon Begley, Newsweek science writer excellent introduction to research on neuro-plasticity based on a Mind and Life Institute meeting.

7. Thanks: how the new science of gratitude can safely (Houghton Mifflin, August 2007)

- Prof. Robert Emmons, a psychology professor at UC Davis and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Positive Psychology, is writing a book that combines solid research-based synthesis of the issue andpractical suggestions.

8. The executive brain: frontal lobes and the civilized world Mind (Oxford University Press, January 2001)

- Dr. Elkhonon Goldberg, clinical professor of neurology at New York University School of Medicine, offers a fascinating look at the role of frontal executive functions and roles through life.

9. The Brain Trust Program: a science based on three-part action plan) to improve memory (Perigee Trade, September 2007

-Dr. Larry McCleary, former acting Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Children's Hospital in Denver, covering many of the recommendations lifestyle for brain health in this practical book.

10. A User's Guide to the Brain: Perception, attention, and the four theaters of the brain (Pantheon, January 2001)

- This book (pre-Spark), Dr. John Ratey presents a stimulating description of how the brain works. An excellent book for all new Brain 101the field.

I ask you ... You already have a book to read next?

Copyright (c) 2009 Sharp Brains

10 Brain Health and Fitness New Year Resolutions - Train Your Brain

They survived the 2007 shopping season and eat. Congratulations! Now is the time the gears and focus on 2008 ... If you write down some New Year's resolutions and to consider some things that you can go to and from the targets set last year and goals for this year, which - as a friend of tradition at the winter solstice.

To summarize the main results of the last 20 years of neuroscience research on how to "exercise our brains", there are three things that we strivefor: novelty, variety and challenge. If these three things that we will build new connections in our brains, be careful and pay attention to our environment, improve cognitive skills such as pattern recognition, and help in our general permanent brain health.

With these three principles of brain health in mind - novelty, variety and challenge - let me give you a certain potential New Year's resolutions, perhaps unexpectedly, you want to help, 2008 will be a year ofBrain Health and Fitness:

1. 2008 and the primary election: If you have not already done so, the electoral roll to be - active participation is good for your brain health merits. But before you rush to choose a time and continue until the desired criteria for ' institution with which you evaluate the thinking voice. Do not let the politicians and their spin doctors set their own agenda. Ask yourself what matters most to me? What kind of president I think we need? Why? I personally find very interestingthat no candidate so far is a revival of "It's the economy, stupid" mantra, and suggests solid plans to bring our economy back on track.

2. The next time you shop: Do not treat the seller as if Pavlov's Dog - remember that a dog trained to salivate automatically every time a bell was rang. There is a whole field from there try to buy things impulsively. Note: your reaction to a trailer for a movie or a TV commercial resist. Be the real "decision makers". For bonus points,If you learn to identify and manage their impulse to buy, try to explain this to your children ...

3. The reading habits: they usually read non-fiction to try something new this season. Get a good fiction book. Or vice versa. For bonus points, subscribe or just read a new magazine, perhaps, that desire your partner? It will help you a different perspective.

4. Learn more about the brain: Pick-up in one of the books in the science section in your local library. Inpossibility that you read the books of those related as I assume some Russian poems and try to discuss, instead of their brains.

5. At work: Find or create an intellectually and socially stimulating new business for you in your current job or a new one. Involve work has demonstrated that contribute to the formation of cognitive performance. At least go out of their way of doing what you have exciting job: try a new colleagues or customers can talk every day andlearn something new about them. She does not remember everything, but certainly more than if you do not even try.

6. Gratitude for the subprime mess: With the increasing volume of economic concerns, the subprime mess, the risk of recession, the falling dollar and a ballooning deficit, it is easy to lose track and become depressed. That does not help anyone, much less our brain. To put things in perspective, it pays to keep some 'time to devote only a story of gratitude and scribbling a few notesDay. For bonus points: This is while watching the news and share your notes with your partner.

7. Keep your critical thinking skills: Ask yourself, "Where is the evidence?" at least once a day - see points 1 and 2. Not only to believe in this article. Although action has been approved by 20 researchers and physicians at Harvard Medical School, nothing replaces your brain. And the more you practice, the more you refine your review.

8. JoinCreating a better environment. Our planet, our families, our communities, our schools, everyone can benefit from our help. What project do you care enough to commit to something of your time in the year 2008? If you are school-age children, you as a candidate for the school administration?.

9. Based on computer programs: with the growing number of "Brain Training" products, you can try to think, or for yourself or a loved one. As stated in number 2 above, it is appropriate that this shouldsome research before you buy.

10. Where do I start? OK, now that you have read many suggestions to solve, at least one of them ... decide what you think?.

Enjoy a happy and prosperous 2008 for you and your family!

Copyright (c) 2007 Sharp Brains

Brain Gym exercises can improve your mental health

When it comes to fitness, caring for more and go to the gym to keep fit and fighting shape prim and proper. But during the process, we tend to neglect your mental health, which is under so much of a burden. In fact, we just make every effort to gym or exercise our brain, what we do to make it fit and agile to do? Or, for that matter, how much time we devote to our mental health? The answer is largely negative, which is really sad.

We forgetthe importance of exercising your brain regularly get worse with time that may or may not operate normally when it is inactive. Equally important regular exercise to physical health, it is equally important to maintain a healthy mind, is to lead a comfortable and healthy life overall.

As we age, our mind begins to tire, leading to fears associated with diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer's. But it makes no sense, always anxious. Instead, it determineskeep your brain engaged and actively contributing to stay alert and fresh as ever. Brain Gym exercises are the answer to all your doubts.

Keep your brain to play games of the brain that the brain is an instrument of good form. It is said that the aging brain, it starts in the mid-'30s, but this should not add to the wrinkles on the forehead like. Because there are several ways to improve memory and keep the brainwalk during your workout. And, yes, it is not easy, Brain Gym and 10,000 neurons in which it has certainly some effort and commitment on your part.

Start with simple exercises how to store your shopping list and then begin to solve puzzles or games, you know. Slowly move to the new Brain Games, finally, increasing levels of difficulty. This simple to start your brain fitness. Later, you can play for free helpYour brain to stay active and alert. These brain games are designed specifically to meet the skills to Brain Gym exercises, the memory, which will help you and your cognition.

An empty brain is a devil's workshop, which is so true, especially when it comes to old age. But the question is, as we chase the devil of your brain? Brain Gym exercises such as Lazy eight will benefit concentration and reduces stress. It can be doneExercise by an infinite number of spins left and right hand, which also promotes eye-hand coordination. Juggling is also a good exercise, Brain Gym to improve all areas of the brain. Rubbing the keys of the brain blood flow to the brain. Hook-up movement will help to calm the mind and easier focusing. regular newspaper puzzles and quizzes are also a great source of exercise for the brain. So do not wait any longer toBut now is the Brain Gym.

The Brain Health News That You Can Use

What's the brain health news for today? Well, the winner of the 2008 USA Memory Championship was recently announced. His name is Chester Santos and he can memorize a deck of cards in three minutes, learn 100 random words and 100 new names and faces in just 15 minutes. How does he do it? That's his secret. He's willing to teach you, for a price, of course. He recently quit his software job to teach his memory training techniques full time. According to the Associated Press, the brain fitness software market was worth $225 million in 2007, more than doubling the receipts from 2005.

Due in part to Nintendo's release of the "Brain-Age game" and now the second version of that game, the industry's income is expected to grow again and again over the next several years. By 2015, analysts expect to see the industry take in billions of dollars.

Want more of the brain health news for today? While the majority of the games and puzzles target aging baby boomers, teenagers and college students are also getting into brain exercises.

Some teachers are using the techniques to improve their student's ability to remember facts, dates, names, etc. It is estimated that the K-12 market accounted for $60 million worth of the earnings in 2007.

Will any of these techniques help you, specifically? There's a bit of a question mark on that. While some techniques work for some people, they don't necessarily work for everyone.

All that you have to do is read a few software reviews to see that. Some people love the games and teasers. Others are not impressed.

In May of 2008, the brain health news was all about the introduction of Posit Science's new "cognitive behavioral training". If you took any psychology classes, that term may bring to mind names like Pavlov and B. F. Skinner, whose techniques were not always pleasant.

But, the term actually encompasses a broad range of behavioral therapies that relieve conditions such as depression, anxiety and even schizophrenia. It is common today to rely on mood altering drugs for those conditions, but when cognitive therapies are combined with drug therapy, the results are always more positive.

Posit Science's program is rather expensive at $395, but it does combine a kind of personalized program with regular assessments for effectiveness. Instead of a single exercise, the program includes a variety of techniques aimed at improving memory, multi-tasking abilities and mental clarity.

In August of 2008, the brain health news from the Washington Post was a little different. While many of us are exciting about the growing number of available options, some experts warn that consumers may be just as well off to save their money.

The Nintendo game, for example, is very inexpensive and the teasers range from a kind of "rock-paper-scissors" to telling time on an upside down clock. Researchers have shown that video games improve a person's cognitive function, but only when the volunteers were "non-players".

Well, that's it for the brain health news of today. The experts all agree that the best advice is to never stop looking for new challenges.

Combines physical and mental exercise for brain health - Interview with Dr. Kramer

Dr. Arthur Kramer is a professor at the University of Illinois Department of Psychology, Campus Neuroscience Program, Beckman Institute and the director of the Biomedical Imaging Center at the University of Illinois.

I am honored to interview today for the results of recent brain research focuses on how a healthy brain, strong.

Alvaro Fernandez (AF): Dr. Kramer, thank you for your time. We begin with an attempt to clarify some of the currentMisunderstandings and controversies. From what we know today, and your recent Nature piece (Note: referenced below), what are the health habits of 2-3 key lifestyle you suggest for someone who wants to delay the general brain Alzheimer's disease and improve symptoms ?

Dr. Kramer (DK): First, be active. Exercise. Aerobic exercise, 30-60 minutes per day three days a week, has been shown to have an impact in a variety of experiments. And you need to do something strenuous:walk showed that the effect of. There are many unanswered questions in relation to certain types of exercises, duration, extent of the effects ... are, however, as we wrote in our recent Nature Reviews Neuroscience there is no doubt that leading a sedentary life is bad for our cognitive health. Cardiovascular exercise seems to have a positive effect.

Secondly, maintain lifelong intellectual commitment. There is plenty of research shows that prospective observational study, while more psychologicallypromoting activity reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer's symptoms.

Let me add, since all the media hype that no "brain game" in particular has been shown to affect a time for Alzheimer's disease or the maintenance of knowledge over time. It 's too soon, and consumers should be aware of this fact. It 'true that some companies are solid academically than others, but in my opinion, the consumer-oriented sector is growing faster thanResearch.

Ideally, combine both physical and mental stimulation with social interaction. Why not a nice walk with friends to discuss a book? We lead a busy life, more integrated and interesting activities so before we will.

AF: great concept: a book club on foot! Well, some of us look at the confusion is due in search of "magic formula" that works for everyone and everything. We prefer to speak of brain several columnsHealth and different priorities for different people. Can you explain better what interventions have a positive effect on specific cognitive abilities and people appear?

DK: Perhaps there will one day be able to recommend specific measures for individuals on the basis of genetic tests, for example, but we have no idea today. We are only beginning to understand how the environment interacts with our genome.

But I agree on the premise that it is probably a generalSolution that solves all of cognitive problems, but we have a variety of approaches. And we must not forget, for example, the cognitive performance of smoking, sleep disorders, pharmacological interventions, nutrition, social engagement.

Physical activity tends to have seen more widespread effects on the different forms of perception and cognition, as published in the Colcombe and Kramer, 2003, Meta-analysis in Psychological Science (Note: the reference below).

Cognitive training also works for aVariety of perceptual and cognitive domains - has shown little, but the transfer of tasks for training.

Not only that type of action is sufficient. Today there is no clear research on how these factors interact in a lifestyle as possible. The National Institute on Aging is sponsoring a starting point for searching your address.

AF: Finally, what's in your head the best way to explain the relative benefits of physical perception vs. cognitive? From the fundamental point of view, it seemsclear that physical activity may contribute to neurogenesis (Note: the creation of new neurons), but learning / cognitive exercise contributes to the survival of neurons, strengthening the synapse, so that I can see more of how these two "pillars "is free as one or the other."

DK: I agree. Recommended given that we know today, I would be both an intellectual commitment and physical activity. However, we know from a variety of animal studies that exercise has a variety ofThe effects on brain neurogenesis, including increases in various neurotransmitters, growth factors nervous, and angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels).

AF: Dr. Kramer, thank you for your time.

DK: You're welcome.

Copyright (c) 2008 Sharp Brains

The Brain Health News, using the

What happens in the brain health news for today? Well, the winner of the 2008 U.S. Memory has recently been announced. His name is Chester Santos and can remember a deck of cards in three minutes, 100 words casual and 100 new names and faces to learn in just 15 minutes. How do you do? This is his secret. He is happy to teach for a price, of course. He recently announced his work, his software memory training techniques to teach full time. According to the Associated Press,> Brain Fitness software market was worth 225 million U.S. dollars in 2007, more than double the revenue of 2005.

Partly due to the release of Nintendo's "Brain Age game" and now the second version of the game industry plans to increase the incomes of years, again and again for the next one. By 2015, analysts expect to see industry taking in billions.

Want more news brain health today? While most of the games and puzzles targetaging baby boomers, young people and students will also exercise the brain.

Some teachers are using the techniques of Their students the ability to facts, dates, names improve memory, etc. It is estimated that the K-12 market value to $ 60,000,000 in earnings for 2007 represented.

If any of these techniques will help you in particular? It 's a bit like a question you know that while some techniques work for some people does not necessarily work for'all.

All you need do is read a few software reviews, to realize this. Some people love the games and teasers. Others are not affected.

In May 2008, brain health, the news was all about the introduction of the new "cognitive behavioral training Posit Science. If you took all the psychology classes that can bring this concept to names like Pavlov and BF Skinner, whose methods are not always pleasant spirit.

But the term actually encompasses a wide range ofbehavioral therapies that alleviate illnesses such as depression, anxiety and even schizophrenia. And 'common today to change the mood to leave the drugs for these conditions, but when combined with cognitive therapies are drug therapy, the results are always positive.

Posit Science program is fairly expensive at $ 395, but it combines a sort of personal program with regular assessments of their effectiveness. Instead of a single movement, the program includes a variety of techniquesto improve memory, multi-tasking abilities and mental clarity.

In August of 2008, news about brain health in the Washington Post that was a bit 'different. While many of us are interesting about the growing number of options available, some experts warn that consumers are turned off to save their money.

The Nintendo game, for example, is very economical and teasers should be a "rock-paper-scissors" to tell time on a clock head.Researchers have shown that video games a person to improve cognitive function, but only if the volunteers were "not me".

Well, this was for the brain health news. Experts agree that the best advice, never stop, is looking for new challenges.

Ready for your brain and cognitive measure health?

You know your weight. And your physical fitness. And a variety of health problems related metrics.

What is your brain?

In coming years we can expect an increasing number of evaluations of any help from us, the exact address the issue using the tools that are now only for researchers and clinicians, both opportunities and concerns raised.

Two recent announcements bring about major events in this direction:

A) announced last week, a OptumHealthexclusive contract for three years (estimated at $ 18m) with the Australian company Brain Resource.

Quote: "OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions will work with Brain Resource (medical knowledge with a Web-based assessment that measures how people process information in general) and social cognition (how people manage their emotions). The test is also 40 minutes speed based on known and validated tests of memory, attention, executive functions and response, and the atmosphere,social skills and emotional resilience. "

2) A couple of weeks ago we read that U.S. troops Get Cognitive Screening

Quote: "The military will begin giving cognitive tests this summer, the troops heading to war in an attempt to hurt a basic measure of their reaction time, memory, concentration and other brain functions that are referenced, which in this case could. "

I see these tools as a fundamental part of the brain fitness puzzle. NeuroimagingTechniques such as MRI and fMRI are very important to support research and clinical work, but are not yet mature or scalable enough to measure brain function in millions of healthy people. Neuropsychological testing is often done today with paper and pen, administered by a professional, and resource intensive.

brain researchers do not recognize a general "Brain Age" or "intelligence." We can our cognitive functions of the brain orSkills as a variety of skills, some of which related to the perception, more memory, has a bit 'in several languages, has a little' more visual, some more abstract thinking and planning-oriented. There is no general "brain age" that can be measured or trained in a meaningful way.

Now, using this new technology also raises concerns not only about their reliability and validity.

John Moore of Chilmark Research just commented on the Brain Resource OptumHealthAd, stressing that "health is well known that many chronic mental illnesses have a high co-morbidity factor, the partnership with Brain Resource, and the success (or lack thereof) will OptumHealth interesting. And while I applaud this effort also raises some concerns privacy rather scary. How these assessments will be used beyond the doctor's office? "What will have access to data OptumHealth As for theEmployers who OptumHealth parent, United Health Group as an insurance for their employees? If the employer wants access to these data, especially if they start embedding in HealthAtoZ? "

These questions are excellent. Humana, a health insurance company, which recently announced it had abandoned before the agreement with Posit Science, they were in the Posit Science Brain Fitness Program to its Medicare members. While a number of reasons wereoffered for the decision (to absorb low price scholarships, given the complexity of the legal approach to Medicare on low use of the product), was another concern, we mentioned a series of interviews with members of Humana: if you were worried a program that gave them free from their insurance company in some way to transmit data on the user's mental performance.

In addition, you can expect a strong policyImpact in this area. Art Kramer recently explained that "NIH is preparing an" NIH Toolbox "valid and reliable instruments available to researchers and doctors to the problem that now exists to solve, namely the lack of uniformity can be found on many measures. Must wait for The initiative was launched in 2006, and an effort five years, so let's see the results. "

One with a new tool, we need to define the rules of the road.

1) First of all we do,Measures to ensure that it is what it is, and with a high degree of reliability.

2) Secondly, there are clear guidelines are established, which can access data and for what purpose.

3) Finally, we expect that the assessments will lead to increase in profits personal recommendations, except for maintaining cognitive functions.

The question "Are You Ready to measure your Brain Fitness" can help sooner than we expect.

Copyright (c) 2008Sharp Brains

Brain Health Top 10 Books of 2008 - ready for a spiritual exercise?

Here you have the most popular 10 books Cognitive Brain Fitness & Health in 2008. I hope you are as stimulating as I do!

First Brain Rules: 12 principles for surviving and thriving at work, at home and school (Pear Press, 2008)

- Dr. John Medina, director of the Center for Brain Research Applied Learning to Seattle Pacific University, writes a binding and comprehensive introduction to the impact of all the many days of recent brainResearch.

According to The Beck Diet Solution: Brain Train your person to think like a thin (Oxmoor House, March 2007)

- Dr. Judith Beck, director of the Beck Cognitive Therapy and Research, linking the research-based cognitive therapy with traditional application: to maintain weight loss.

Third Change the brain, is: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science (Viking, March 2007)

- Dr. Norman Doidge,Psychiatrist and author of The New York Times bestseller list, leads us, "a collection of stories about the incredible strong brain's ability to ReWire, adapt and relearn."

Fourth Spark: The revolutionary new science of exercise and the brain (Little, Brown and Company, 2008)

- Dr. John Ratey, Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, summarizes research on brain growth of the movement.

FifthThe art of changing the brain: enriching teaching practice, exploring the biology of learning (Stylus Publishing, October 2002)

- Dr. James Zull, Director Emeritus of the University Center for Innovation in Teaching and Education at Case Western Reserve University, writes a must for educators and students to read throughout their lives.

Sixth Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain: How a New Science Books reveals our extraordinary potential to transform ourselves Ballantine (,January 2007)

- Sharon Begley, Newsweek science writer, excellent, comprehensive introduction to research on neuroplasticity in the Mind & Life Institute is based event.

Seventh Thanks: How the New Science of gratitude can make you happy (Houghton Mifflin, 2007)

- Link Prof. Robert Emmons, a psychology professor at UC Davis and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Positive Psychology, is writing a solid book, a summary based on the research topic andpractical suggestions.

8th The executive brain: frontal lobes and the Civilized Mind (Oxford University Press, January 2001)

- Dr. Elkhonon Goldberg, clinical professor of neurology at New York University School of Medicine, offers a fascinating look at the role of frontal executive functions and roles throughout the lifespan.

The Ninth Brain Trust Program: A three shares science-based plan to improve memory (Perigee Trade, September 2007)

-Dr. Larry McCleary, former acting Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Children's Hospital in Denver, covering many of the recommendations lifestyle for brain health, this practical book.

10th A User's Guide to the Brain: Perception, attention, and four theaters of the brain (Pantheon, January 2001)

- In this book (the year before Spark), Dr. John Ratey offers a stimulating description of how the brain works. The brain of an excellent book for every 101 newthe field.

I would ask, you know ... You have already chosen a book to read next?

Copyright (c) 2009 Sharp Brains

Building Confidence in Children Through Drama

Drama and the Performing Arts are excellent methods of building confidence in children and adults alike. Learning through drama allows children to explore their creativity and have fun whilst leaving their shyness and worries behind. Drama also works by stimulating and supporting the growth of imagination and other skills.

Entertainment has become rather passive with cinema, television and video games becoming more popular. These screen-based methods have had a negative impact on communication. However, drama puts the "get up and go" back into entertainment. Children have the opportunity to connect with others in a more meaningful way as drama encourages speech development, awareness of body language and allowing the child to become more socially aware.

Play and drama are closely linked. When a child plays a game they are pretending and using their imagination and so are moving away from reality to create their own story. Drama is a vehicle through which children can express themselves more freely through mime, gesture, movement and speech to make education fun.

Children gain confidence by understanding that there is no final answer in drama and that their opinion and contribution is valued. Children are able to give a personal response to many issues and situations such as poverty, bullying, global warming and recycling. The issues that drama can tackle are endless. Drama and education have a strong link as drama can encourage children to take an active interest in other subjects such as Geography, History and English and so have a more rounded education.

As a drama teacher, I have witnessed children at their first class holding onto their parent's arm-unwilling to let go. To then see the same child running into my class with a beaming smile is an excellent sight. Drama installs confidence in children by allowing them to improvise and experiment. Everyone is given the opportunity to shine within Drama.