About 13 years ago, I watched my very vital mother die a slow death from Lewy-Body dementia. For me, it was a wakeup call. If there were anything I could do to stay healthy myself—to avoid the slow decline of an aging brain—I wanted to do it. But what really helps us stay sharp longer? And how can we separate fad ideas from solid, evidence-based advice around aging? [Read more…] about Neuroscience tips about gratitude, aging, pain and the brain: An interview with Dr. Daniel Levitin
neuroscientist
BrainCheck raises $8 million to digitize cognitive/ neuropsychological assessments and better serve the aging population
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This startup just raised $8 million to help busy doctors assess the cognitive health of 50 million seniors (TechCrunch):
“…startups increasingly recognize opportunities to cater to this aging population. Some are developing products to sell to individuals and their family members directly; others are coming up with ways to empower those who work directly with older Americans.
BrainCheck, a 20-person, Houston-based startup whose cognitive healthcare product aims to help physicians assess and track the mental health of their patients, is among the latter. Investors like what it has put together, too. Today, the startup is announcing $8 million in Series A funding co-led by S3 Ventures and Tensility Venture Partners. [Read more…] about BrainCheck raises $8 million to digitize cognitive/ neuropsychological assessments and better serve the aging population
Executive Functions in Health and Disease: New book to help integrate Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology
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Neuroscience used to be the monopoly of a few elite universities located in a handful of countries. Neuropsychology used to be a quaint niche discipline relatively unconnected to the larger world of neuroscience and content in its methods with paper-and-pencil tests. [Read more…] about Executive Functions in Health and Disease: New book to help integrate Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology
What a brain, what a life: Marian Diamond, neuroplasticity pioneer, dies at 90
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Marian Diamond, neuroscientist who gave new meaning to ‘use it or lose it,’ dies at 90 (The Washington Post):
“Marian Diamond, a pathbreaking neuroscientist whose research — including a study of Albert Einstein’s preserved brain — showed that the body’s three-pound seat of consciousness was a dynamic structure of beautiful complexity, capable of development even in old age, died July 25 at an assisted-living community in Oakland, Calif. She was 90 [Read more…] about What a brain, what a life: Marian Diamond, neuroplasticity pioneer, dies at 90
European neuroscientists challenge the Human Brain Project as is
Neuroscientists attack ‘off-course’ human brain project (BBC News):
“Senior neuroscientists have attacked the Human Brain Project, a billion-pound European Commission initiative aiming to simulate the human brain. An open letter to the EC from over 200 scientists says the project is “not on course”, [Read more…] about European neuroscientists challenge the Human Brain Project as is
The Science of Optimism: a Conversation on ‘The Optimism Bias’ with neuroscientist Tali Sharot
I like to think of myself as a positive and optimistic person. It seems to me to make for an easier and more enjoyable journey through life. So I was intrigued when I read of neuroscientist Tali Sharot’s research into the Optimism Bias, which has shown that despite all the bad news stories we are bombarded with on a daily basis: war, violence, wrong-doing and financial meltdown, the majority of us are optimistic by nature; our brains are hardwired to be so. It’s a fascinating concept and one I had to find out more about, so I bought the book and met with Tali in her office at University College London for an enthralling discussion. [Read more…] about The Science of Optimism: a Conversation on ‘The Optimism Bias’ with neuroscientist Tali Sharot