Comments on: Ask the Expert: Introducing Dr. Cynthia Green http://www.lumosity.com/blog/ask-the-expert/ Brain games, neuroscience news, and the best brain health information. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:18:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Alan http://www.lumosity.com/blog/ask-the-expert/#comment-2290 Alan Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:05:03 +0000 http://blog.lumosity.com/brain_health/01/ask-the-expert-introducing-dr-cynthia-green/#comment-2290 Other people seem to be able to visually picture images in their minds - I cannot. For instance, if I draw even a simple figure, say, a square on a piece of paper, and then close my eyes I cannot form a picture of the square in my mind. When I close my eyes and try to visualize something, I see only 'black space'. I would like to learn more about forming images in the mind. Is there any readily available (to a non specialist) information on visualization ? Other people seem to be able to visually picture images in their minds - I cannot. For instance, if I draw even a simple figure, say, a square on a piece of paper, and then close my eyes I cannot form a picture of the square in my mind. When I close my eyes and try to visualize something, I see only ‘black space’. I would like to learn more about forming images in the mind. Is there any readily available (to a non specialist) information on visualization ?

]]> By: Cyndi Cochran http://www.lumosity.com/blog/ask-the-expert/#comment-219 Cyndi Cochran Mon, 25 Feb 2008 02:33:21 +0000 http://blog.lumosity.com/brain_health/01/ask-the-expert-introducing-dr-cynthia-green/#comment-219 I happened upon this website by pure accident tonite. I feel a long time prayer request of mine has been answered in finding you. I am very impressed with Dr.Green's knowledge,and her down to earth way of imparting it. I have a son who is 12y,he was dx.w/ADHD @ 7y.This has greatly disabled his ability to learn easily.School continues to cause him great anxiety, so, of course he continues to dislike school and learning.Testing has shown he has major problems in "executive functioning skills." Now in Middle sch.,I've been told he needs to be in an LD class all day, which is totally apart from his reg.7th grd.classmates and schedule. I disagree w/ them on some classes,so he is only in these "separate" ones part of the day, which he hates.But,struggles greatly in the regular classroom with being able to keep up. I know my boy can learn anything anybody can teach him, in his own way. I have searched for interesting,clever ways to help him for years now. He does so well with learning things he can relate to, and likes.But,the schools have to gear the majority of their teaching toward the way the majority learns, I'm told. Leaving less time for a child who learns things different from the norm. I have fought this idea since 1st grd. Your brain exercises are just the type of help I have been praying for. I can't wait to get him started on these! They seem to be kid friendly, and I bet it won't be a battle to get his cooperation, like homework is. I wish I would have found you long ago. I am a R.N., and I feel this type of brain therapy could greatly benefit any child with ADD or ADHD. Why, I have to ask, thru all my research, dealing with Dr.'s, school special ed staff,etc.on this subject for all these years, have I not ever been told about this type of brain therapy? This just amazes me, that this is not standard recommended treatment for children with ADHD or ADD. Dr. Green seems to be the perfect type of physician that could help a child,or a parent of child, with this type disorder. These children are not handicapped, most of them, like my son, are very intelligent. Their brains just need a little more help with developing some skills as quickly as the "norm" for their age group.This is why studies show many grow out of the dx. They eventially find a way to make it work. I just know your ideas on exercising the brain, would, and will work to help me and my child. God Bless you all! Please, if there are any other type treatments you could recommend, or if there is any way I can keep you all, and Dr.Green close, please tell how. This is the first time in all these years I have felt hopeful,& positive about something to help my son become just a "normal little boy" that he and I both so want him to feel in school. Yours Truly, Cyndi Cochran, RN, BSN Cartersville, Georgia I happened upon this website by pure accident tonite. I feel a long time prayer request of mine has been answered in finding you. I am very impressed with Dr.Green’s knowledge,and her down to earth way of imparting it. I have a son who is 12y,he was dx.w/ADHD @ 7y.This has greatly disabled his ability to learn easily.School continues to cause him great anxiety, so, of course he continues to dislike school and learning.Testing has shown he has major problems in “executive functioning skills.” Now in Middle sch.,I’ve been told he needs to be in an LD class all day, which is totally apart from his reg.7th grd.classmates and schedule. I disagree w/ them on some classes,so he is only in these “separate” ones part of the day, which he hates.But,struggles greatly in the regular classroom with being able to keep up. I know my boy can learn anything anybody can teach him, in his own way. I have searched for interesting,clever ways to help him for years now. He does so well with learning things he can relate to, and likes.But,the schools have to gear the majority of their teaching toward the way the majority learns, I’m told. Leaving less time for a child who learns things different from the norm. I have fought this idea since 1st grd. Your brain exercises are just the type of help I have been praying for. I can’t wait to get him started on these! They seem to be kid friendly, and I bet it won’t be a battle to get his cooperation, like homework is. I wish I would have found you long ago. I am a R.N., and I feel this type of brain therapy could greatly benefit any child with ADD or ADHD. Why, I have to ask, thru all my research, dealing with Dr.’s, school special ed staff,etc.on this subject for all these years, have I not ever been told about this type of brain therapy? This just amazes me, that this is not standard recommended treatment for children with ADHD or ADD. Dr. Green seems to be the perfect type of physician that could help a child,or a parent of child, with this type disorder. These children are not handicapped, most of them, like my son, are very intelligent. Their brains just need a little more help with developing some skills as quickly as the “norm” for their age group.This is why studies show many grow out of the dx. They eventially find a way to make it work. I just know your ideas on exercising the brain, would, and will work to help me and my child. God Bless you all! Please, if there are any other type treatments you could recommend, or if there is any way I can keep you all, and Dr.Green close, please tell how. This is the first time in all these years I have felt hopeful,& positive about something to help my son become just a “normal little boy” that he and I both so want him to feel in school.
Yours Truly,
Cyndi Cochran, RN, BSN
Cartersville, Georgia

]]> By: Gwendolyn http://www.lumosity.com/blog/ask-the-expert/#comment-218 Gwendolyn Mon, 18 Feb 2008 07:48:17 +0000 http://blog.lumosity.com/brain_health/01/ask-the-expert-introducing-dr-cynthia-green/#comment-218 Hello! For a couple of months now I have been playing lumosity games. At first I noticed a big difference; better scores, better confidence, better memory... But I am taking an speed-education (I don't know what it's called in english, but I finish the last two years of my school in one) and how longer I attend school at a stretch, how worse my scores at lumosity seem to get: when I have to attend school from 8.30 to 17.00 three weeks at a stretch, I will not be able to get even close to my highscores and hollidays do not seem to last long enough to regain. Could this mean I am overworking my brain? I work quite a lot (it's a lot of work) and do take extra vitamins to make up for it, but on the other hand I am addicted to energy-drinks to be able to keep up with the learning-pace. But if I would be overworking my brain, would that have long-term consequences? I read on the lumosity prolonged stress can be destructive to the nervous system... Hoping for a reply, Gwyneth. Hello!

For a couple of months now I have been playing lumosity games. At first I noticed a big difference; better scores, better confidence, better memory…
But I am taking an speed-education (I don’t know what it’s called in english, but I finish the last two years of my school in one) and how longer I attend school at a stretch, how worse my scores at lumosity seem to get: when I have to attend school from 8.30 to 17.00 three weeks at a stretch, I will not be able to get even close to my highscores and hollidays do not seem to last long enough to regain. Could this mean I am overworking my brain?
I work quite a lot (it’s a lot of work) and do take extra vitamins to make up for it, but on the other hand I am addicted to energy-drinks to be able to keep up with the learning-pace.
But if I would be overworking my brain, would that have long-term consequences?
I read on the lumosity prolonged stress can be destructive to the nervous system…
Hoping for a reply,
Gwyneth.

]]> By: Jerri http://www.lumosity.com/blog/ask-the-expert/#comment-217 Jerri Sat, 16 Feb 2008 09:27:05 +0000 http://blog.lumosity.com/brain_health/01/ask-the-expert-introducing-dr-cynthia-green/#comment-217 I am 66 yrs. old and last year was diagnosed with seizures. Since them my scores at lumosity have dropped considerably. I get frustrated because I can't remember. This happens other times and I have learned to just keep quiet. What can I do to increase my memory? I am 66 yrs. old and last year was diagnosed with seizures. Since them my scores at lumosity have dropped considerably. I get frustrated because I can’t remember. This happens other times and I have learned to just keep quiet. What can I do to increase my memory?

]]> By: zeke http://www.lumosity.com/blog/ask-the-expert/#comment-216 zeke Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:01:30 +0000 http://blog.lumosity.com/brain_health/01/ask-the-expert-introducing-dr-cynthia-green/#comment-216 If I score above 1000 on all exercises can I still be considered as attention deficit? If I get 1200 on some exercises would that be a good assumption i dont have any impairment? I cannot judge my abilities well as i have been out of school and used drugs and have ocd which makes me second guess myself If I score above 1000 on all exercises can I still be considered as attention deficit? If I get 1200 on some exercises would that be a good assumption i dont have any impairment? I cannot judge my abilities well as i have been out of school and used drugs and have ocd which makes me second guess myself

]]> By: Barbara Wilby http://www.lumosity.com/blog/ask-the-expert/#comment-215 Barbara Wilby Wed, 30 Jan 2008 03:27:10 +0000 http://blog.lumosity.com/brain_health/01/ask-the-expert-introducing-dr-cynthia-green/#comment-215 Hi Love your work! My question is this: is the inability to remember a set of things (eg data or a set of events) spoken in rapid succession to me able to be improved by doing your exercises? I am sure I was better at this kind of rapid absorption of things when younger. Is this possible? Regards Hi

Love your work!
My question is this: is the inability to remember a set of things (eg data or a set of events) spoken in rapid succession to me able to be improved by doing your exercises?
I am sure I was better at this kind of rapid absorption of things when younger. Is this possible?
Regards

]]> By: Pituophis http://www.lumosity.com/blog/ask-the-expert/#comment-214 Pituophis Tue, 29 Jan 2008 20:56:14 +0000 http://blog.lumosity.com/brain_health/01/ask-the-expert-introducing-dr-cynthia-green/#comment-214 Is there a demonstrated connection between the results of practicing games such as these and generalized improvement in brain function? Let me state that question a bit more clearly. It's not too difficult for me to improve my scores on particular games, such as the Matching Speed game. But how much of the improvement is simply a result of becoming familiar with that particular game? Am I improving my use of the keyboard, of applying the games' rules, of connecting what I think with what I type, or simply learning what to watch for? After all, the games are repetitive. While some of our daily tasks are repetitive, many of the things we do on the job, at home, etc., are 'one-shot deals'. We have one chance to do something correctly, and no opportunity to practice and improve. Since the site claims to help improve memory, attention, etc., have the claims been demonstrated outside of the game-playing environment? Thanks. Is there a demonstrated connection between the results of practicing games such as these and generalized improvement in brain function? Let me state that question a bit more clearly. It’s not too difficult for me to improve my scores on particular games, such as the Matching Speed game. But how much of the improvement is simply a result of becoming familiar with that particular game? Am I improving my use of the keyboard, of applying the games’ rules, of connecting what I think with what I type, or simply learning what to watch for?

After all, the games are repetitive. While some of our daily tasks are repetitive, many of the things we do on the job, at home, etc., are ‘one-shot deals’. We have one chance to do something correctly, and no opportunity to practice and improve.

Since the site claims to help improve memory, attention, etc., have the claims been demonstrated outside of the game-playing environment? Thanks.

]]> By: Pamela Gutman http://www.lumosity.com/blog/ask-the-expert/#comment-213 Pamela Gutman Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:27:00 +0000 http://blog.lumosity.com/brain_health/01/ask-the-expert-introducing-dr-cynthia-green/#comment-213 I had a photographic memory through high school which is why I did so well in school. Textbook pages would reappear verbatim during tests, etc. Then in college, it started to fade away. Why did that happen and why did it happen then? Where can I read more to understand this gift that disappeared? Thanks I had a photographic memory through high school which is why I did so well in school. Textbook pages would reappear verbatim during tests, etc. Then in college, it started to fade away. Why did that happen and why did it happen then? Where can I read more to understand this gift that disappeared?
Thanks

]]> By: Victor http://www.lumosity.com/blog/ask-the-expert/#comment-212 Victor Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:04:37 +0000 http://blog.lumosity.com/brain_health/01/ask-the-expert-introducing-dr-cynthia-green/#comment-212 I have been diagnosed as having asperger's syndrome. I am told that my right and left hemispheres are not "sharing the load" equally, and that some brain exercises have been developed to help bring about some balance. Are you aware of what specific exercises these are? Thank you. I have been diagnosed as having asperger’s syndrome. I am told that my right and left hemispheres are not “sharing the load” equally, and that some brain exercises have been developed to help bring about some balance. Are you aware of what specific exercises these are? Thank you.

]]> By: Dan http://www.lumosity.com/blog/ask-the-expert/#comment-211 Dan Mon, 28 Jan 2008 20:01:57 +0000 http://blog.lumosity.com/brain_health/01/ask-the-expert-introducing-dr-cynthia-green/#comment-211 I have been playing the games and have done well, but only when the volume is off. Is volume supposed to be on while doing the tests? I have been playing the games and have done well, but only when the volume is off. Is volume supposed to be on while doing the tests?

]]>