Posts Tagged ‘brain-training’

Benefits of Long Term Brain Training

Friday, March 12th, 2010

A long term (six month) study of the memory benefits of brain training showed that long term training significantly boosted memory scores, while short term training didn’t.

Presented at the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry 2010 Annual Meeting the study focused on elderly adults, splitting the subjects into two groups, one with a delayed start to the training. The subjects in the group with six full months of training showed strong improvement on memory tests. The group with a delayed start had about half the training and showed a slight decrease in memory scores.

This tallies with the results of Mind Sparke customers who train long term. The benefits keep accruing and the cognitive skill improvements on the n-back task increase at a brisk pace on a straight line for two or three full training periods.

SharpBrains Gives iPad Thumbs Up For Brain Fitness

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

Brain Fitness authority SharpBrains has been keeping a close eye on the release of Apple’s iPad. Reviewer Luc Beaudoin gives the iPad a thorough look in terms of its cognitive wellness spec and gives it a clean bill of health.

Interestingly, the iPad becomes yet another platform for Mind Sparke and other brain fitness software providers to support. (We’re already working on an iPad version of our popular iPhone software.)

More platforms means more cost for the industry and more choice (or confusion) for consumers. Apple has put it’s weight behind a platform that gives neat new features (GPS, touch screen, accelerometer, etc.) but requires new development.

Consumers also expect to pay less for iPhone apps. This puts pressure on providers to find ways to bring the price down without affecting quality or going out of business. A tricky recipe to get right!

http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2010/02/11/apple-ipad-thums-up-brain-fitness-value-and-limitations/

Neurogenesis And Depression – Further Research

Saturday, January 30th, 2010
Brain Cell

Brain Cell

A clinical study shows that promoting neurogenesis has a positive impact on the symptoms of major clinical depression.

As we’ve noted on this blog before, the process of brain training also seems to have a positive impact on mood. Evidence builds that the connection is the stimulation of new brain cell growth…

Read more about the study…

Encouraging Appropriate Brain Cell Growth

Sunday, January 17th, 2010

In an interesting story about therapy for those with spinal cord injuries, I saw this nice quote on the importance of appropriate brain training. After explaining that most patients with significant spinal cord trauma suffer more or less permanent neurological deficits, Garrett Riggs, M.D., assistant professor of neurology at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla., said:

“Nerve cells do grow, but the problem is getting them to grow from the right spot and make the right connections.”

Eloquently put. The same can be said for any brain training. It should be constructed so as to stimulate the production of new brain cells and encourage the brain to put these new nerve cells to use in a way that will benefit our cognition.

Here’s the full story.

Working Memory Training Report – Ronnette – Session 19

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

Session number: 19

Average n: 2.6

I’m finally done with the 19 session!!!! I feel great!

This post was submitted by Ronnette.

Working Memory Training Report – Ronnette – Session 18

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

Session number: 18

Average n: 2.5

I’m hitting more n-3!!!!

This post was submitted by Ronnette.

Working Memory Training Report – Ronnette – Session 17

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

Session number: 17

Average n: 2.4

Shaun, and others inspire me to work harder.

This post was submitted by Ronnette.

Working Memory Training Report – Ronnette – Session 16

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

Session number: 16

Average n: 2.3

I think I have been doing each session within 30 minutes or less. Too bad there is no historical time on the software.

This post was submitted by Ronnette.

Working Memory Training Report – Ronnette – Session 14

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

Session number: 14

Average n: 2.2

I keep at it.

This post was submitted by Ronnette.

Working Memory Training Report – Ronnette – Session 11

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

Session number: 11

Average n: 2.1

I did not do very well, but I see changes with my productivity.

This post was submitted by Ronnette.