The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness:
18 Interviews with Scientists, Practical Advice, and Product Reviews, To Keep Your Brain Sharp

Book 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 maintain brain function and fitness. The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness is an invaluable guide that helps readers navigate growing brain research and identify the lifestyle factors and products that contribute to brain fitness. By gathering insights from eighteen of the world’s top scientists and offering tools and detailed descriptions of over twenty products, this book is an essential guide to the field of brain fitness, neuroplasticity and cognitive health. An accessible and thought-provoking read, The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness educates lifelong learners and professionals in healthcare, education, business, etc., on emerging trends and forecasts of what the future will hold.

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Book Review

“…we’re talking a short, sweet, entertaining read of a complex topic, with timely reviews of 21 top technology products, as well as informed and expert predictions of where this burgeoning brain-fitness field is headed. More importantly, after you read it, you’ll have a good, detailed sense of where you, personally, can act to improve your own couch-potato brain – and how to keep it fit and flexible your whole life. The SharpBrains Guide To Brain Fitness reminds of us all why books (and not just googling a topic) can be well worth your time and money. Two Stethoscopes Up – check it out.”
—Doc Gurley, Internist Physician and Robert Wood Johnson Fellow. Book review for San Francisco Chronicle online (06/08/09), Is Your Brain A Couch Potato?

Praise for the book

“Finally, an insightful and complete overview of the science, products and trends to debunk old myths and help us all maintain our brains in top shape. A must-read”
—Gloria Cavanaugh, former President & CEO of the American Society on Aging

“Kudos for an excellent resource! This SharpBrains Guide is full of top notch information, provides practical tips and helps separate hype from hope in the brain health arena.”
—Elizabeth Edgerly, Ph.D., Chief Program Officer, Alzheimer’s Association

“A masterful guide to the brain training revolution. Promises to stimulate a much needed conversation that will nudge society to build a new brain fitness culture on solid, research-based, foundations.”
—P. Murali Doraiswamy MD, Professor of Psychiatry, Duke University

“This is the only book that I know of that seamlessly integrates latest information about cognitive health across the lifespan. Very useful to anyone interested in brain care.”
—Arthur Kramer, Professor of Psychology at University of Illinois

“The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness is a much-needed resource to help us better understand our brains and minds and how to nourish them through life.”
—Susan E. Hoffman, Director, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UC Berkeley

“This book provides a very valuable service to a wide community interested in learning and brain topics. I found it interesting and helpful”
- Michael Posner, Emeritus Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Oregon, and first recipient of the Dogan Prize

About the Authors

Alvaro Fernandez is co-founder and CEO of SharpBrains, a leading market research firm covering applications of neuroscience and cognitive science in education and healthcare. He received masters in education and business from Stanford University, and teaches at UC-Berkeley Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. A member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Councils, he is often quoted by the media including recently in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and CNN.

Dr. Elkhonon Goldberg is internationally renowned for his clinical work, research, and teaching in neuropsychology and cognitive neuroscience. Co-founder and Chief Scientific Advisor of SharpBrains, he is also a Clinical Professor of neurology at New York University School of Medicine and Diplomat of The American Board of Professional Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology. He is the author of The Executive Brain: Frontal Lobes and The Civilized Mind and The Wisdom Paradox: How Your Mind Can Grow Stronger as Your Brain Grows Older.

Book Talks and Conferences

> September 8th, Petaluma, California: Physical and Mental Exercise for Brain Fitness, at the Club One Fitness Center. More information here.

> September 9th, San Francisco: The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness, at San Francisco State University Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). More information here.

> September 11th, Oakland, California: The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness, at ASA Brain Health Day

> September 23rd, New York Public Library, Bronx Library Center: The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness. More information here.

> September 25rd, New York Public Library, Stephen Schwarzman Building: The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness. More information here.

> September 29th, webinar: The State of the Brain Fitness Software Market. More information here.

> September 29th, webinar: Serious Games for Active Aging, at Ambient Assisted Living Forum.

> October 6th, Palo Alto, CA: Brain Fitness – Fad or Revolution?, SmartSilvers MIT Northern California event. More information here.

> October 14th, Berkeley, CA: Do’s and Don’ts of Brain Fitness for Life, at UC-Berkeley Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. More information here.

> October 21th, New York City: Brain Fitness For All, at Glen Cove Senior Center.

> November 3rd, San Francisco: Brain Fitness For Peak Performance, at the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) Speaker Series.

> November 11-12th, Princeton, New Jersey: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Forum on the Future Impact of Neuroscience and Behavior Change.

> November 20-22nd, Dubai: proceedings of the Council on the Aging Society during the Summit of the Global Agenda run by the World Economic Forum. More information here

Table of Contents

Foreword by Gloria Cavanaugh
Introduction: Debunking 10 Brain and Brain Fitness Myths
Chapter 1. The Brain and Brain Fitness 101
1.1. Brain structures
1.2. Brain functions
1.3. The aging brain
1.4. Neuroplasticity
1.5. Lifelong learning
1.6. What is brain fitness?
1.7. Interviews
• Dr. Mike Posner: What is attention and how to train it.
• Dr. James Zull: What is lifelong learning?.
• Dr. Eric Jensen: Learning and the brain.
• Dr. Robert Sylwester: Cognition and Brain development.
• Lee Woodruff: Recovering from traumatic brain injury.

Chapter 2. The 4 Pillars of Brain Maintenance
2.1. Why your lifestyle matters
2.2. Pillar 1: Nutrition guidelines
2.3. Pillar 2: Stress management
2.4. Pillar 3: Physical exercise
2.5. Pillar 4: Mental stimulation
2.6. Brain maintenance: Alzheimer’s prevention or cognitive enhancement?
2.7. Brain maintenance: summary and guidelines
2.8. Interviews
• Dr. Yaakov Stern: The connection between building a cognitive
reserve and delaying Alzheimer’s symptoms.
• Dr. Larry McCleary: A multi-pronged approach to brain health.
• Dr. Art Kramer: Why we need both physical and mental exercise.
• Dr. Elizabeth Zelinski: Healthy aging enhanced with computer-based programs.

Chapter 3. Mental Exercise vs. Mental Activity
3.1. What is mental exercise or “brain training”?
3.2. Different types of brain training
• Cognitive therapy
• Meditation
• Biofeedback
• Computer-based Software
3.3. Brain training software: An emerging field
3.4. Do brain training software programs really “work”?
3.5. Flood of brain training software without taxonomy
3.6. Interviews
• Dr. Judith Beck: The link between brain training and weight loss.
• Dr. Andrew Newberg: The value of meditation.
• Dr. Brett Steenbarger: Achieving peak performance in high-pressure professions.
• Dr. Martin Buschkuehl: Can intelligence be trained?
• Dr. Arthur Lavin: Working memory training at a pediatrician office.

Chapter 4. Brain Training Software: Profiles, Evaluation Criteria and 21 Quick Picks
4.1. Which exercises are most relevant?
4.2. SharpBrains’ checklist to evaluate computer-based programs
4.3. Mapping the brain training software landscape
4.4. Top 21 Quick Picks, by purpose
• Top 8 overall brain maintenance products
• Top 8 targeted brain workout products
• Top 5 stress management products
4.5. Products description and highlights
• Overall brain maintenance products
• Targeted brain workout products
• Stress management products

Chapter 5. A Growing Range of Applications
5.1. Healthy aging
5.2. Brain fitness centers in residential facilities
5.3. Cognitive assessments
5.4. Programs to improve driving skills
5.5. Brain disorders
• Stroke / Traumatic brain injury
• Attention deficit disorders
5.6. Schools
5.7. Insurance companies
5.8. Interviews
• Dr. Daniel Gopher: Applications for computer-based cognitive simulations.
• Dr. David Rabiner: Brain exercise implications for children with ADD/ADHD.
• Dr. Torkel Klingberg: Expanding working memory for children with ADD/ADHD.
• Dr. Jerri Edwards: Improving driving skills.

Chapter 6. Ready for the Future?
6.1. Brain fitness goes mainstream
• Increased emphasis on brain maintenance
• Integration of physical and mental exercise
• Broad government initiatives
6.2. Leveraging better tools
• Assessments of cognitive functions
• Computer-based tools to improve clinical conditions
• Low tech options
6.3. A growing ecosystem
• Psychologists and physicians
• Insurance companies
• U.S. military
• Corporate America
6.4. Conclusions

Chapter 7. Opening the Debate
7.1. The case for social engagement
7.2. Book club discussion guide

Glossary
References
About SharpBrains
Index

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