I’ve often wondered what role personality traits play in cognitive fitness. Are people who are outgoing, conscientious and organized less likely to develop cognitive impairment and if so, why? Is it because they tend to be more social, enjoy detail-oriented tasks and can juggle more activities (i.e., work, hobbies, time with friends)? In April 2022,… read more
Do people with autism have a greater quality of life if they are aware of their diagnosis? New research published in the April 11, 2022 issue of Autism seems to indicate that the answer is “yes.” In a University of Portsmouth study of 78 autistic university students, the research team reported that there was a… read more
Children who suffer from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and are diagnosed prior to age eight are more likely to receive the services they need to overcome the anxiety, behavioral struggles, and psychosocial deficits associated with the disorder. Early detection, diagnosis and intervention are vital, yet research shows a full one in four children with ASD… read more
You don’t need to be a doctor or caregiver to someone with a traumatic brain injury to recognize some of the visible symptoms. But new research published in the April 28, 2022 issue of JAMA Network Open indicates that head injuries of any severity may be linked to an increased risk of chronic endocrine, cardiovascular,… read more
When my son was 9 years old, he announced he wanted to play hockey. Having written about brain injuries for 15 years, I was well aware of the frequency of concussions in the sport. I assumed it was a temporary interest, but he stuck with it. Through the years he’s supplemented his seasonal play with… read more
A professor of economics from the Otago Business School, Dr. Stephen Knowles, worked with a team of scientists to investigate how deadlines impact task completion…or not. The authors surmised that delayed deadlines give people permission to procrastinate.… read more
According to research from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, messages pertaining to morbidity and illness were the most motivating as compared to more typical fitness motivators such as social stigma or obesity, and cost-related concerns.… read more
Research published in Health Psychology Review described the difference between performance goals and learning goals. While performance goals may help us visualize a final outcome, learning goals ensure we get there.… read more
From the Editor-in-Chief In 4th grade, my youngest son could not spell his own name. His brain had a problem. I discovered it standing in his school hallway one evening while I read a story he had written about my husband, a military officer. At the top of the page was his full name: Evan… read more
Recent research confirms that social support benefits the body and brain in profoundly positive ways. The Journal of American Medical Association published an article in Neurology which examined the connection between social support and cognitive function. “The results of this cross-sectional cohort study suggest that social support in the form of supportive listening is associated… read more
Scientists reviewed and analyzed seven studies investigating behavioral outcomes of a busy mindset. The personal perspective of busyness affected multiple domains of self-control, with a decrease of indulgent behaviors.… read more
The effects of chronic stress on the memory center of the brain can be reduced by running. Researchers at Brigham Young University investigated the impact of stress on the connections between neurons in groups of mice who were either sedentary or who ran 5 km per day on a running wheel. The mice who ran… read more
