Brain Training and Fitness
With school right around the corner, it feels like there’s a new appointment to schedule every few days: sports physical for my high schooler, immunization updates for my little girl, back-to-school night, meet-the-coaches, dental appointments…who can keep up? Smartphones might seem like the best way to stay organized, but new research shows that the good… read more
As we navigate our uncertain and temporary at-home reality, things look a little different for many of us right now. One area that may be causing some stress is how to continue with your current therapeutic interventions like counseling, psychotherapy, speech therapy, play therapy, or cognitive training while quarantined at home. But I have good… read more
So it finally happened. Covid-19 visited my house with a vengeance. My 12-year old daughter got mild head-cold symptoms first, and I was the second to get hit. Then my 10-year old son came down with the sniffles, followed closely by my 8-year old little girl. Tho truth-be-told, none of us felt too awful, and… read more
Children with an autism spectrum disorder and their caregivers face unique challenges in the best of times. During the COVID-19 pandemic crisis these challenges rose exponentially in ways that scientists are just beginning to evaluate. A recent study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders revealed worsening behaviors and understandably increased stress levels… read more
April is Autism Awareness Month and new research was just released from the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, in Aurora, Colorado. The innovative study published by the American Society for Microbiology examined the link between Autism behaviors and gut microbiome. Over 100 participants from Arizona and Colorado were either neurotypical or diagnosed with Autism… read more
Ever wonder how some people seem to remember everything they learn and others struggle to keep simple facts straight for more than a few minutes? Cognitive performance hinges on automaticity of skills that we use to think and learn all day every day such as processing speed, attention, visualization, fluid reasoning, and working memory. Part… read more
The next time your kiddo complains about music class give them this good news: It’s making them smarter! New research published by Frontiers in Neuroscience reveals how and why musical training improves memory and attention in children. Scientists worked with 40 boys and girls, half of whom had significant musical training while their counterparts had… read more
Current scientific research is revealing a plethora of emotional, psychological, and cognitive problems arising from the COVID-19 epidemic. Social isolation, financial struggles, and uncertainty have created debilitating lifestyle changes for many families. With the start of a new school year and unprecedented online or distance learning processes, parents and kids alike are suffering. Nature’s publication… read more
The American Academy of Neurology recently published a study that investigates the connection between education and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The researchers analyzed data from over 120 adult participants, comparing the influence of education, genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s (APOE), and presence of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain. For all participants, with or without genetic markers for… read more
Mild brain injury can result from childhood concussions, sports injuries, and even minor car accidents. Brain injury patients often suffer from long-term cognitive and neurological problems, with a need for practical rehabilitation tools that bring lasting change. Researchers from Colorado Springs and Shreveport, LA recently completed an extensive study with six brain injury patients to… read more
New research published in BMC Neuroscience revealed that antibiotic treatment during the early life of mice caused neurotransmitter impairment. The antibiotics changed animal microbiome which then created a reduction in the receptors that impact frontal cortex function. These changes in the mice brains decreased social behavior and diminished pain receptors. Obviously these findings do not… read more
I never intended to be a homeschooler. But as with COVID-19, sometimes life hands us surprises. Instead of grumbling about it I decided to do what I do best (research!) and help my family survive and even thrive in this new season. —– Disclaimer: The perspectives and opinions expressed in the following article are solely… read more
