Tag Archives: Brain Research

Seniors Should Maintain an Active Lifestyle

My colleague Dr. Jeffery Cummings gave a very informative interview to the Las Vegas Review-Journal last week (entitled Alzheimer’s studies urge active retirement). In the article, Dr. Cummings highlights the growing body of research that leading an active life, especially after retirement, appears to be one of the most important things one can do in [...]

What is Neuroplasticity?

For more than four centuries it was a common held belief that our brains only developed during childhood and then grew rigid during adulthood lending false credence to the old adage, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” But researchers are continuing to prove that this outdated theory is not accurate and are providing [...]

Could Brain Scans Help You Pick a Job in the Future?

Ability tests are nothing new. You need to take the SAT to get into a good college. Athletes at varying levels need to be able to perform physical tests at predetermined levels to join the team. Failing to reach a certain standard can be the difference between success and failure in numerous life situations. Now, [...]

Cognitive Ability is More Important than Age

In neuroscience news this week, a newly published study by Scott Huettel, Ph.D. (Associate Professor of psychology and neuroscience and director of the Duke Center for Neuroeconomic Studies) attempts to help disprove the myth that simply aging makes us inferior at financial decision making compared to our younger counterparts. Dr. Huettel’s study was published earlier [...]

7 Ways to Improve Your Energy and Mental Focus

This Brain Fitness for Life blog  has delivered several articles on ways to keep your memory sharp. Many of you have also inquired about ways to keep your natural energy up throughout the day to help you concentrate better. There are some simple, scientifically proven, things you can do during the course of the day [...]

Our Best Years Are Yet To Come

You’ve probably heard that your brain starts to shrink as you get older, and that it gets harder to learn new skills and absorb new information. It is true that certain human brain parts stop developing in our mid 20s. However, (as discussed in a previous blog entry) medical scientists are now saying that in [...]

2 New Genes Associated with Alzheimer’s Discovered

Last week we talked about diet and Alzheimer’s, which led to questions from some of you about the genetic factors associated with Alzheimer’s. Recently scientists have identified two new genes they believe are linked to Alzheimer’s disease. In a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association by Dr. Sudha Seshadri (an [...]

Mediterranean Diet Might Protect Against Alzheimer’s

It is well documented that a diet rich in antioxidants, leafy greens, nuts and fish benefits the body in a whole host of different ways. Fresh produce, fish – especially the kind rich in omega-3s like mackerel and salmon – and nuts provide lean protein, healthy fats and plenty of fiber, vitamins and minerals to [...]

How Moms Help Our Brain

Being a mom is one of the most important (and often under-appreciated) jobs in the world. We owe our mothers a debt of gratitude. According to data collected by Happy Worker, your mom probably changed your diaper over 7,300 times before your second birthday. As a toddler, chances are you demanded your mom’s attention about [...]

Meditation Could be Easier than You Think

Meditation has long been reported as a great way to clear the mind and reduce stress. In my post in February, 5 Strategies to Improve Memory, I pointed to a research study that found that the daily practice of meditation thickened the parts of the brain’s cerebral cortex responsible for decision making, attention and memory. [...]