—Language task fMRI and resting-state fMRI data from a presurgical patient with left temporal lobe epilepsy. Copyright Bradley Goodyear, Einat Liebenthal and Victoria Mosher.

Can brain scans help doctors navigate epilepsy surgery? (UPI)

“…When medication doesn’t effectively control epilepsy, surgery may be recommended. Doctors can remove the part of the brain that triggers seizures or use certain procedures to control seizure activity.

Before surgery, however, the brain must be “mapped” to ensure the regions responsible for language and memory aren’t damaged during Read the rest of this entry »

Brain Gain: Computerized Training May Boost Cognition in MCI (Medscape):

“Computerized cognitive training (CCT) for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) appears to have a beneficial effect on global cognition, memory, and attention and improves psychosocial functioning, including depressive symptoms, Read the rest of this entry »

Neuro Chip Records Brain Cell Activity (R&D):

“Brain functions are controlled by millions of brain cells. However, in order to understand how the brain controls functions, such as simple reflexes or learning and memory, we must be able to record Read the rest of this entry »

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Had a good night’s sleep?

We hope you did, so you can fully enjoy all the fascinating articles and brain teasers in the new edition of SharpBrains’ eNewsletter…including excellent advice on how to combine general sleep hygiene with mindful and cognitive techniques, and a book giveaway.

Happy reading!

New thinking:

• For a good night’s rest, combine general sleep hygiene with mindful and cognitive techniques
• Book review: Grit is a tool in the toolbox, not the silver bullet
• To boost attention and other cognitive skills, learn AND continually practice a second language
• Scalable, medication-free relief of cognitive symptoms related to Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

New research:

• How to properly “Use it or Lose it”: Kundalini Yoga vs. Crossword Puzzles
• Status quo is not enough: Common tests for Mild Cognitive Impairment lack both sensitivity and specificity
• Discouraging new findings about pediatric care for children with ADHD: Often, best-practice guidelines are not followed
• Busy schedules linked to better memory and cognition among middle-aged and older adults

New tools:

• FDA clears use of online cognitive/ behavioral assessment to inform ADHD diagnosis
• Large multi-center study to test videogame-like digital therapy as (potentially) FDA-cleared ADHD treatment
• Brain training franchisor LearningRx settles FTC complaint about its marketing claims
• Survey finds significant promise for home-based, data-rich cognitive therapy among stroke survivors

Books and other educational resources:

• Goodreads giveaway: 20 copies of The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness
• Book discount to honor Mental Health Awareness Month/ Oferta de libro en honor del Mes de la Salud Mental
• Lecture Recording: 25 Must-Know Facts to Harness Neuroplasticity & Technology For Better Brain Health
• Online Course: How to Navigate Conventional and Complementary ADHD Treatments for Healthy Brain Development

Finally, some fun Brain teasers:

• The Hermann grid optical illusion, explained
• Hard brain teaser to challenge your pattern recognition

Have a great month of June!

The SharpBrains Team

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Being Super Busy May* Be Good For Your Brain (Smithsonian Magazine):

“There hasn’t been much scientific research on busyness itself, although it’s something that we talk about so often,” explains Sara Festini, a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Texas at Dallas Center for Vital Longevity, a co-author of the new research published this week Read the rest of this entry »