Sharp Brains: Brain Fitness and Cognitive Health News

The Science Behind

MindFit™ Comprehensive Brain Workout
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New technologies and brain imaging devices have shown that active brain function results in an increase in blood flow to the areas of the brain involved in carrying out the task, bringing with it, food for the cells. Additionally, brain stem cells concentrate in the areas where there is greater brain activity and learn to function in the same capacity as the surrounding cells. In essence, the cells grow in the active areas of the brain. 

A great deal of research has shown that practicing cognitive skills encourages their preservation and development at all ages. Research into cognitive reserves found that the more education people had and the more their minds were occupied, the less they suffered from age-related decline. People who remain intellectually active and engage in hobbies reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by one third. All of these facts show that cognitive training — exercising your brain — protects your brain against decline in memory, concentration and information processing.

MindFit Training Improves Cognitive Skills and Overall Brain Fitness  

MindFit includes a variety of tasks that were designed specifically to exercise basic cognitive skills that are needed for daily functioning. With its unique and innovative Individualized Training System (ITS), the software is interactive and adapts itself to the training needs of the user. The system constantly learns about the user’s performance and progress, and provides a wide variety of feedback. The user receives a personal training schedule, which is uniquely tailored to his/her abilities.

You will find exercises specifically designed to train these areas: visual search, time estimation, naming, categorization, visual short term memory, auditory short term memory, location memory, spatial orientation, planning, ability to inhibit planned action, speed of reaction, hand-eye coordination.

How does exercising the brain help?

  1. Active neurons get more oxygen and better supply of nutrients
  2. Active neurons stimulate the development of connections to other neurons through intensive dendritization.
  3. Active neurons increase the secretion of NGF (nerve growth factor) and are better protected from damage.
  4. Regeneration of lost neurons from stem cells operates even in older brains.

The ability of the aging brain to profit from cognitive training is by now well established, and hardly a week goes by without additional studies being published proving the same point.

Several studies utilizing the Mindfit technology have indicated significant improvement in the cognitive skills trained. These were carried out in the United States, in the United Kingdom, and in Israel. Active computerized training enhanced cognitive skills, as well as helping practical aspects of life such as safe driving.

Scientific Papers

(PubMed, Google Scholar)

On Memory Training

  • Greenberg, C., Powers, S. M. (1987). Memory improvement among adult learners. Educational Gerontology,13(3):263-280.
  • Kliegl, R., Smith, J., & Baltes, P.B. (1990). On the locus and process of magnification of age differences during mnemonic training. Developmental Psychology,26,894-904.
  • Lachman, M.E., Weaver, S.L., Bandura, M., Elliot, E., & Lewkowicz, C. (1992). Improving memory and control beliefs through cognitive restructuring and self generated strategies. Journal of Gerontology,47:293-299.
  • Moore, S., Sandman, C.A., McGrady, K., & Kesslak, J.P. (2001). Memory training improves cognitive ability in patients with dementia. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation,11(3/4):245-261.
  • Rasmusson, D.X., Rebok, G.W., Bylsma, F.M., & Brandt, J. (1999). Effects of three types of memory training in normal elderly. Aging, Neuropsychology & Cognition,6:56-66.
  • Rebok, G. W., & Balcerak, L.J. (1989). Memory self-efficacy and performance differences in young and old adults: The effect of mnemonic training. Developmental Psychology,25(5):714-721.
  • Yesavage, J.A. (1985). Nonpharmacologic treatments for memory losses with normal aging. American Journal of Psychiatry,142:600-605.

On “Use It or Lose It”

  • Anstey, K. (1999). How important is mental activity in old age? Australian Psychologist,34(2):128-131.
  • Ball, K. et al. (2002). Effects of cognitive training interventions with older adults. Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), 288,18:2271-2281.
  • Baltes, P.B., & Willis, S.L. (1982). Plasticity and enhancement of intellectual functioning in old age: Penn State’s Adult Development and Enrichment Project (ADEPT). In F.I.M. Craik & S. Trehub (Eds.), Aging and Cognitive Processes, 353-390. New York: Plenum Press.
  • Churchill, J. D., Galvez, R., Colcombe, S., Swain, R.A., & Greenough, W.T. (2002). Exercise, experience and the aging brain. Neurobiology of Aging,23(5):941-955.
  • Hultsch, D. et al. (1999). Use it or lose it: Engaged lifestyle as a buffer of cognitive decline in aging? Psychology and Aging,14(2):245-263.
  • Wilson, R.S., Mendes de Leon, C.F., Barnes, L.L., et al. (2002). Participation in cognitively stimulating activities and risk of incident Alzheimer disease. JAMA,287(6):742-748.

Top 30 Articles

  1. Top 50 Brain Teasers, by SharpBrains Team
  2. The Ten Habits of Highly Effective Brains, by Alvaro Fernandez
  3. Why do You Turn Down the Radio When You're Lost?, by Caroline Latham
  4. Brain Plasticity: How learning changes your brain, by Pascale Michelon
  5. Top 10 Brain Fitness Future Trends, by Alvaro Fernandez
  6. 7 FAQs on Mental Exercise, by Alvaro Fernandez
  7. It is Not Only Cars That Deserve Good Maintenance: Brain Care 101, by Alvaro Fernandez
  8. Evaluation Checklist for Brain Fitness products and games, by Alvaro Fernandez
  9. MIT Event on Brain Games: Context, Trends, Questions, by Alvaro Fernandez
  10. Stress Management Workshop for International Women's Day, by Alvaro Fernandez
  11. Mindfulness and Meditation in Schools for Stress Management, by Jill Sutie
  12. Stress and Neural Wreckage: Part of the Brain Plasticity Puzzle, by Gregory Kellet
  13. How can I improve my short term memory?, by Caroline Latham
  14. Cognitive and Emotional Development Through Play, by David Elkind
  15. Judith Beck: Train Your Brain to Think Like a Thin Person, by Alvaro Fernandez
  16. Easy Steps to Improve Brain Health, by Caroline Latham
  17. Infographic: State of the Market 2009, by Paul Van Slembrouck
  18. Improve Memory with Sleep, Practice, and Testing, by Bill Klemm
  19. 10 Brain Tips To Teach and Learn, by Laurie Bartels
  20. Dr. Elkhonon Goldberg on Cognitive Training and Brain Fitness, by Alvaro Fernandez
  21. Maximize the Cognitive Value of Your Mental Workout, by Schlomo Breznitz
  22. Brain Fitness Program and Neuroplasticity @ PBS, by Alvaro Fernandez
  23. Mindfulness Meditation for Adults & Teens with ADHD, by David Rabiner
  24. Can Intelligence Be Trained? Martin Buschkuehl shows how, by Alvaro Fernandez
  25. How Strong is the Research Support for Neurofeedback in Attention Deficits?, by David Rabiner
  26. Exercising the body is exercising the mind, by Adrian Preda
  27. Brain Evolution and Why it is Meaningful Today to Improve Our Brain Health, by Larry McCleary
  28. Physical Exercise and Brain Health, by Pascale Michelon
  29. Posit Science, Nintendo Brain Age, and Brain Training Topics, by Alvaro Fernandez
  30. Sleep, Tetris, Memory and the Brain, by Shannon Moffet

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