Brain Fitness News: January 2015

January 2015

Attention Brain Speed Memory People Skills Intelligence Navigation Dear Kwonki, Wow! I am delighted to share the news that Dr. Mike Merzenich, our co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer, has just been awarded the 2015 Russ Prize. The prize, given by the National Academy of Engineering, is the top honor in the field of bioengineering. Dr. Merzenich and four other scientists received the award in recognition for their groundbreaking work on the cochlear implant, a neural prosthesis that helps deaf people to hear. You can learn more about it here. Dr. Merzenich’s work on the cochlear implant was all about advancing science in a practical way that truly helps people. He brings that same expertise, commitment, and spirit to BrainHQ—which has a lot to do with why BrainHQ has science credibility that is orders of magnitude beyond any other brain training program. Congratulations, Mike! Jeff Zimman, Co-founder Posit Science Tweet Share +1 Forward BPA Substitute May Also Harm the Brain The controversial compound Bisphenol-A (BPA), found in many plastics, has long been known to disrupt the endocrine system and cause problems in brain development. Unfortunately, a recent study from Canada found that Bisphenol-S (BPS,) a common BPA substitute, impairs neuronal growth in zebrafish and may lead to increased ADHD in kids exposed to it in the womb or as infants. Learn more. Babies Learn Best Right Before a Nap Want your baby to reallyget those ABCs down? Try teaching them to her just before a nap. A German study has found that 6- and 12-month-old children retained more new information when they napped right after the learning session. Find out why. Stress Reduction May Hold the Key to Empathy Recent research has found that the ability to express empathy may be tamped down by the stress caused by being around strangers. Why is this important? Lack of empathy plays a role in many types of mental illness, including autism and schizophrenia, so researchers hope that by understanding more about factors that influence empathy, they can better understand the symptoms of these disorders. Learn more. Brain’s Glial Cells Drive Chronic Pain Is your back out of whack? Blame your glial cells. Scientists in Boston have found that the brain’s glial cells play a key role in chronic pain. They plan to use this new finding to develop drugs that target the glial pathway in hopes of improving pain relief therapies. Learn more. Neurotic People Make the Best Pet Owners  Psychologists at UC Berkeley and Cal State East Bay recently conducted a study of pet owners, and found that those who had the most “neurotic” tendencies were also the most conscientious when it came to their pets’ happiness and well-being. They suggest that if your tendency is to be a “helicopter parent,” it will work out much better for your pets than for your (human) children. Find out why. “Father of Neuroscience” Vernon Mountcastle Dies at 96 Vernon Mountcastle, one of the world’s great brain scientists, passed away this month at the age of 96. Mountcastle was a mentor at Johns Hopkins to our co-founder Dr. Merzenich and has been called the “father or neuroscience” and the “Jacques Cousteau of the cortex.” We are deeply saddened to hear of Dr. Mountcastle’s passing and send his family our best wishes at this difficult time. Read more about Dr. Mountcastle’s life and legacy. To Nap or Not to Nap, and Other Great Stories: Check out these recent stories from the BrainHQ blog! Tired? Science Says Don’t Just Take a Nap or Drink Coffee… Do Both A New Tool for Detecting Brain Injury: Music Videos Study: BrainHQ Improves Balance & Gait, Reduces Fall Risk BrainHQ Tips and Tricks Want to keep up with current brain health news, cool illusions, and brain inspiration? Follow BrainHQ on Facebookand let us light up your News Feed! Book of the Month Animal Madness: How Anxious Dogs, Compulsive Parrots, and Elephants in Recovery Help Us Understand Ourselves(2014) Laurel Braitman Have you long suspected your dog has emotional problems, or worry your pet iguana needs Prozac? You’re not alone: author Laurel Braitman’s experience with her beloved Bernese Mountain dog led her to extensively research the topic of “animal madness” and found that it led her to new ways to look at human mental illness. Animal Madness has received several accolades, including being chosen as a Discover magazine top summer read.Buy it from Amazon. Useful Links » Why BrainHQ » Brain Training Your Way » About BrainHQ Exercises » World Class Science » Peer-reviewed Research » Brain Resources » Brain Teasers » BrainHQ Blog