Brain Health Blog

The Biology of Learning

July 22, 2008

By Gregory Kellett, a cognitive neuroscience researcher at SFSU and UCSF, and science writer for Lumos Labs.

The field of neuroscience is just beginning to understand some of the physiological foundations of how we learn. The following is a basic breakdown of what we think we might know.

global network, neural networkLearning is the process by which new knowledge or skills sticks to our brains.  Its functional “sticky” unit is the neuron. Neurons are cells specially adapted to communicate with each other. Everything we experience is reflected in the brain by neurons which communicate to form what are called neural networks.  These networks can be pictured as Deer pathoverlapping 3-D road maps which span brain regions responsible for processing everything from the bitter-sweet taste of dark chocolate to why your neighbor is such a grump. As we learn, these neural “road maps” interact and shift while also fading or strengthening in relation to our experiences.

Whether it be recognizing a co-worker or changing a flat tire, learning entails the formation and strengthening of connections or synapses between neurons. Brief experiences typically leave connections tracing an ephemeral neural network. This might be envisioned as crisscrossing deer paths. Which, if left unused, fade quickly.

After repeated exposure to a learning experience, like the second time we change that flat tire, the associated neuronal connections country road, one laneare reinforced, resembling more a network of single lane country roads than deer paths.  And when it comes to daily Highway, overpass, intersectionpractice and expertise in a skill, one can imagine that the guy at the local tire shop would have the neuronal equivalent of intersecting super-highways.

This strengthening of neural network connections is thought to be the physiological basis of learning.

Changing, strengthening and creating new neural networks tends to get more difficult with age. There is some research, however, indicating that it is possible to maintain our ability to learn, and possibly even ward off or lessen the impact of certain types of dementia. It appears that a significant amount of age related cognitive decline can be attributed to a tendency to stay within pre-established comfort zones; shying away from new and challenging experiences, which typically push the brain to grow (or at least not shrink as fast).

Here are some simple tips that could help maintain our brain’s ability to adapt.

  • Stay Social- Reaching out and staying connected with friends and family engages the mind.
  • Break a Sweat- It’s not only good for your body but your head as well.  Regular aerobic exercise is even capable of stimulating the formation of new neurons.
  • Relax- Certain stress hormones are damaging to the brain in excess.
  • Seek Challenges- Take that swing dance class, it’ll keep you on your toes in more ways than one. Do a variety of the Lumosity brain games - don’t just focus on your favorites.
  • Eat Fruits and Veggies- You’ve heard it a million times before; this time it’s because they contain anti-oxidants and other substances protective of your head’s contents.
  • Review Your Day- Take some evening time to review what you did, who you met, and what you read about. Start with the present and work your way back to breakfast or vice a versa.

By Gregory Kellett | Posted in Brain Games, Brain Health, Neuroscience | Comments (1)

Long-term and Working Memory - You Are What You Remember

July 11, 2008

By Gregory Kellett,  a cognitive neuroscience researcher at SFSU and UCSF and science writer for Lumos Labs.

Memories are vital to our ability to function on even the most basic of levels. Our respective “realities” are in fact a large part due to the constantly shifting kaleidoscope of our remembrances. Here we will touch briefly on the difference between short-term/working memory and long-term memory as well as how the two filter and add meaning to our worlds.

What if we could remember everything we experienced? As enticing asNutrition label it sounds, our finite brains would quickly find themselves overwhelmed with the random details of yesterday’s weather forecast alongside the nutritional information off of last month’s box of raisin bran.

Thankfully, the vast majority of our memories are fleeting mental wisps lasting only seconds to minutes. These temporary impressions make up what is called short-term or working memory.

Working memory can be thought of as a staging area where the mind takes meaning from such items as:

  • Specific immediate memories of very recent sensory input (IE the sour smell of expired milk).
  • The temporary recollection of details from long-term memories (IE what happened the last time you drank sour milk).
  • Conclusions and ideas made in the past (Sour milk is bad).

Notice how working memory can temporarily pull details from long-term memory for short-term use. AlthoughGear Head constantly changing and ephemeral itself, working memory is vital to our ability to make decisions and take action over time (such as our pouring that sour milk down the drain). For a brilliant and more in-depth description of working memory read Elizabeth Buchen’s “Working Memory: What it is and how it works”.

When an experience or piece of information sticks and doesn’t evaporate with short-term memory, it is said to have entered into the realm of long-term memory. This journey is called consolidation and takes place after prolonged exposure to a piece of information or experience. The longer the exposure, the better the consolidation, the more robust the related memories will be.

Long-term memories can store much larger quantities of information than working memory and for much longer periods of time (often as much as a lifetime). These resilient long-term recollections are made up of both consciously learned facts, such as “Madrid is the capital of Spain” and subconsciously learned knowledge, such as the ability to balance and ride a bike.

We derive meaning and the ability to act via the synergistic relationship between long-term PeanutBttrTstand working memory. Working memory combines elements from our long-term stores with immediate sensory information in order to generate ideas and plans of action. For example, remembering that the taste of peanut butter is pleasant as we toast toast, might just have us use our memorized skill of unscrewing a jar in order to manifest the pleasurable experience of peanut butter on toast. Which is just one more potentially delicious result of a fit and active mind.

By Gregory Kellett | Posted in Cognitive Performance, Cognitive Psychology, Memory | Comments (4)

Brain Food Alert: Beware Tilapia!

July 8, 2008

We’ve previously recommended fish as a food that’s particularly good for your brain - in large part because it’s high in omega-3 fatty acids. fish food for brainWhile this holds true for many fish, one of the most popular, Tilapia, actually contains very little of the beneficial fatty acids according to new research from Wake Forest School of Medicine.

Instead, Tilapia is loaded with omega-6, which can cause inflammation that is bad for the heart. In fact, one of the authors of the study said, “the inflammatory potential of hamburger and pork bacon is lower than the average serving of farmed tilapia.”

So make sure your fish provides the right kind of fish fats! Some good options are Salmon, Mackerel, Trout, Whitefish, and Bluefin Tuna.

By Michael Scanlon | Posted in Brain Health | Comments (2)

Good Cholesterol and Good Memory

July 2, 2008

By Gregory Kellett, a cognitive neuroscience researcher at SFSU and UCSF, and writer for Lumos Labs.

A recent British study published by the American Heart Association suggests that the balance of cholesterol in our blood may affect not only heart health but also memory performance. It is widely accepted that diets promoting “Good” cholesterol, otherwise known as high-density lipoprotiens (HDL), can reduce cardiovascular disease, but it now appears that high HDL may also be good for memory.

Researchers tested 3,600 British civil servants for both HDL levels and memory performance over time, first at an average age of 55 and then again at 61.

The results?

  • Participants with higher HDL levels did consistently better at recalling items from a list of 20 words after 2 minutes.
  • For those whose HDL levels declined between tests there were also declines in memory performance.

Reference:

Singh-Manoux, A., Gimeno, D., Kivimaki, M., Brunner, E., & Marmot, M. G. (2008). Low HDL Cholesterol Is a Risk Factor for Deficit and Decline in Memory in Midlife. The Whitehall II Study. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, 28, 1398.

By Gregory Kellett | Posted in Aging, Brain Health, Memory | Comments (3)

Free Brain Games: Announcing Name Tag

June 27, 2008

Lumosity has a new brain game and we wanted to offer you the chance for a sneak peek! The game is called “Name Tag” and targets face and name recognition in a classic “Memory” game format. We know, through user feedback, that many people struggle with this skill in settings ranging from the workplace to barbecues and hope that you will enjoy playing! You can find “Name Tag” here: Play Name Tag!

This game will be free for a short time only.

The URL for the game is: http://games.lumosity.com/name_tag.html

We welcome any feedback you have to offer and will be in touch with more new games in the next month.

If you would like to hear about new games in the future, sign up here and join our new games announcement list.

name_tag.jpg

By Aimee Fountain | Posted in Brain Games, Memory | Comments (3)

Cognitive training and aging

June 19, 2008

K. Warner Schaie and Sherry L. Willis are two of the more important researchers in the area of aging and cognitive training. They oversee the Seattle Longitudinal Study, which followed adults across many years as they grew older, regularly monitoring their cognitive status. Among their most important findings:

  • Through cognitive training (exercises for the brain), older people can improve their abilities.
  • Those who have had a decline in their thinking abilities can get back to where they were 14 years earlier.
  • Certain abilities are more likely to decline with age than others. Four abilities that typically get worse are:
    • processing speed
    • reasoning
    • memory
    • spatial orientation
  • Cognitive training can impact everyday tasks. For example, reasoning training can make people better at solving problems around the household or logistics of transportation.

Reference:

Schaie, K. W., & Willis, S. L. (2005). Intellectual functioning in adulthood: Growth, maintenance, decline and modifiability. Washington, D.C.: American Society on Aging and Metlife Foundation.

By Michael Scanlon | Posted in Aging, Brain Games | Comments (5)

Memory problems in aging men

June 16, 2008

Men more likely to have problems with memory and thinking skills

CHICAGO – When it comes to remembering things, new research shows men are more likely than women to have mild cognitive impairment, the transition stage before dementia. The research will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology 60th Anniversary Annual Meeting in Chicago, April 12–19, 2008.

“This is one of the first studies to determine the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment among men and women who have been randomly selected from a community to participate in the study,” said study author Rosebud Roberts, MD, with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, and member of the American Academy of Neurology. Mild cognitive impairment can also be described as impairment in memory or other thinking skills beyond what’s expected for a person’s age and education.

Read More »

By Michael Scanlon | Posted in Aging, Memory | Comments (1)

Brain game development: Lumos Labs raises $3 million

June 3, 2008

Since we launched Lumosity last year, we’ve heard lots of feedback from users saying you love the brain games, and the feeling of getting smarter and seeing your improvement. One thing many of you have requested is more exercises and games. Well, we’ve just raised $3 million from 2 top venture capital firms, as well as some really smart individual investors, in order to keep improving Lumosity so it’s always the best site for brain training.

Our new partners are Pequot Ventures and Norwest Venture Partners (NVP), and together we will be able to continue our research into how to increase brain performance and maintain brain health in the best - and most enjoyable - ways possible.

The official press release is on the next page.

Read More »

By Michael Scanlon | Posted in Brain Games, Lumos Labs | Comments (17)

Brain Performance Index - What is BPI?

June 3, 2008

Your Brain Performance Index (BPI) is how you measure and track your cognitive performance, and compare your ability in one area to another. All active Lumosity users have a BPI. You can check yours in the My History section, or if you’re not already a member you can sign-up and get your BPI by playing the brain training games.

An increase in BPI indicates improvement. An increase of more than 200 points represents a substantial improvement of at least 1 standard deviation. Remember that BPI is a way to track your own personal progress - it is not intended as a way to compare yourself to other people.

How is BPI calculated?

The BPI scales are based on an analysis and ranking of over 7,200,000 real game results. We used these game results to create a distribution of scores for each activity so we know how an individual score stacks up to all others. We then evaluate your game scores and use a proprietary algorithm to derive your BPI. Each time you play, we update your BPI to accurately reflect your current brain performance.

How is overall BPI calculated?

Your Overall BPI is your average BPI across each of the four cognitive areas: attention, memory, processing speed and cognitive control. This number provides a concise measure of your overall brain performance. If you are weak in one area, it will bring down your overall score, so it’s a good idea to focus on the games where you scores are lowest.

Can I compare my BPI in one area to another?

Yes. The BPI converts scores in very different activities to the same scale based on average scores across all users. For example, a BPI of 400 in Birdwatching is equivalent to a BPI of 400 in Word Bubbles.

By Michael Scanlon | Posted in Brain Games, Cognitive Performance | Comments (3)

Protect your brain with daily caffeine

May 29, 2008

It seems there’s no end to new reasons to drink coffee. From PhysOrg:coffee_beans.jpg

“A daily dose of caffeine blocks the disruptive effects of high cholesterol that scientists have linked to Alzheimer’s disease. A study in the open access publication, Journal of Neuroinflammation revealed that caffeine equivalent to just one cup of coffee a day could protect the blood-brain barrier (BBB) from damage that occurred with a high-fat diet.”

We’re all equipped with a blood-brain barrier, which acts as a filter to isolate the brain from chemicals found in your body that shouldn’t be in your brain. One reason high cholesterol is bad for your brain is that it damages the blood-brain barrier to the point that it’s not as good at keeping harmful chemicals out.

Though this study found that daily caffeine helps protect the blood-brain barrier in rabbits, it’s still (sadly) too early for coffee drinkers to cast away fears of fat intake. Even if the results translate to humans, a high-fat diet is bad for your body and brain in a number of other ways. Still, this is one more reason to appreciate your morning java.

By Michael Scanlon | Posted in Brain Health | Comments (1)