Update: For brain training to work, it must induce neuroplasticity in regions that matter

Time for Sharp­Brains’ May 2014 e‑newsletter. If you’re look­ing for new think­ing, research and tools to enhance life­long brain health and per­for­mance, you’re in the right place…

New think­ing:

• For cog­ni­tive train­ing to work, it must induce neu­ro­plas­tic­i­ty in brain regions that matter
• Which kind of mind­ful­ness med­i­ta­tion to choose? Com­par­ing sit­ting med­i­ta­tion, body scan, and mind­ful yoga
• Neu­ro­feed­back treat­ment for ADHD is gain­ing strong support
• Lar­ry King inter­views Alvaro Fer­nan­dez on Brain Fitness!
• What cog­ni­tive skills are for (or, is the Inter­net mak­ing us dumber?)
• What “some kind of asset” are we talk­ing about?

New research:

• Final­ly, grow­ing aware­ness of chemother­a­py-induced cog­ni­tive deficits
• Mind­ful­ness can mod­i­fy stress-relat­ed brain behavior
• Use and mis­use of ADHD drugs and nootrop­ics among teenagers and toddlers
• On brain devel­op­ment, socioe­co­nom­ic sta­tus and par­ent­ing styles
• Sleep­ing less than 5 hours, or more than 9, can lead to cog­ni­tive decline

New tools:

• New online cog­ni­tive self-assess­ment by Cog­nic­i­ti (Bay­crest): a ther­mome­ter for the mind?
• Mind games that can sharp­en the brain
• Mayo Clin­ic Sports Med­i­cine Cen­ter adopts Intel­li­gym cog­ni­tive training
• Reg­is­tra­tion open for 2014 Sharp­Brains Vir­tu­al Sum­mit: Shap­ing the Prac­tice and the Future of Brain Fitness

Have a great month of June! To start on the right foot, you may want to tease your mind with this visu­al illu­sion…

Cheers,

The Sharp­Brains Team