After many months of work (and we hope many new neurons and stronger synapses in our brains), we have just released our inaugural report on the emerging Brain Fitness Software Market, 
the first to define the brain fitness software market and analyze the size and trends of its four customer segments. We estimate the size of the US brain fitness software market at $225M in2007, up from $100m in 2005 (50% CAGR). The two segments that fueled the market growth: consumers (grew from $5m to $80m, 300% CAGR) and healthcare & insurance providers (grew from $36m to $65m, 35% CAGR).
Highlights from The State of the Brain Fitness Software Market 2008 report include:
1) 2007 was a seminal year for the US Brain Fitness software market, which reached $225 million in revenues – up from an estimated $100 million in 2005.
2) Over 20 companies are offering tools to assess and train cognitive skills to four customer segments: consumers; healthcare and insurance providers; K12 school systems; and Fortune 1000 companies, the military, and sports teams.
3) The Nintendo Brain Age phenomenon has driven much of the growth. The consumer segment grew from a few million in 2005 to an estimated $80 million in 2007.
4) There is major confusion in the market, so education will be key. Users and buyers need help to navigate the maze of products and claims.
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Dear Mr or Mrs Next US President,
We are glad to welcome you to our blog carnival. After a short hiatus, Encephalon is back
and gathering steam. We have prepared this "revival" edition just for you, so you can be well informed and impress us all during the upcoming Sciencedebate 2008.
Without further ado, let's proceed to the questions posed by 24 bloggers on neuroscience and psychology issues. We hope they provide, at the very least, good mental stimulation for you and your advisors.
Big Questions
Do I deserve to vote even if I don't have Free Will? (Marc at Neuroscientifically Challenged).
If culture sculpts our brains, what can our brains do to refine our culture first? (Stephanie at Brains On Purpose).
Is God more than a flying brain? (Jessica at bioephemera).
Is Your brain really reading This? (Pete at Brain Hammer).
A Few Intrusive Questions
Do you play any musical instrument? (Megan at SharpBrains).
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Quick note: Recent announcement that adds hope to the understanding and future treatment of autism and dyslexia: MIT's McGovern Institute researchers awarded $8.5m to study brain basis of autism and dyslexia. Quote:
- "Two researchers at MIT's McGovern Institute for Brain Research will head an ambitious new project to study the origins of autism and dyslexia, supported by a $8.5m grant from the Ellison Medical Foundation. The project leaders, Nancy Kanwisher and John Gabrieli, are prominent experts in neuroimaging and human brain development."
Link: McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT
Here is another mind-bender created by Wes Carroll for the SharpBrains readers.
Presenting ...
Dr. Nasty's Giant Cube
Difficulty: HARDER
Type: HYBRID (Logic/Spatial)
Question:
The diabolical Dr. Nasty has turned his Growth Ray on a perfect cube that used to measure one foot on a side. The new larger cube has twice the surface area of the original. Find the volume of the larger cube.
Click to read Hint #1.
Click to read Hint #2.
Click to read Hint #3.
Click to read Hint #4.
Click to read the Solution and Explanation.
