Study: First Brain Fitness Tracker Validated for Aging Independently
Large Implications for Aging Research and Monitoring Abilities

San Francisco, July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A new study shows that a novel online assessment (here) provides a valid scientific measure of the cognitive abilities of older adults related to living independently. The self-administered assessment can be completed in four minutes on most internet-connected devices (phones, tablets, computers) — with large implications for monitoring and improving cognitive aging. The assessment was developed by Posit Science, the maker of BrainHQ brain training exercises and assessments, and it was examined as part of an NIH-funded study in collaboration with university-based researchers.

“This is a game-changer in our ability to monitor and manage successful aging,” observed Dr. Henry Mahncke, CEO of Posit Science. “Maintaining the ability to live independently is one of the greatest concerns about growing older, yet it’s rarely measured because of a lack of easily accessible tools. It can take a long time to schedule an office visit for a full battery of neuropsychological tests, and few people do so. Now, here’s a new tool you could use as a brain fitness tracker — to permit ongoing monitoring.”

The study examined whether a very short, self-administered, online test could provide a quick look at the “executive function” cognitive abilities of older adults. Executive function includes key cognitive building blocks (such as planning, flexibility, and inhibitory control), which underpin the goal-directed behaviors needed to maintain independent living.

“Clinician-administered batteries of cognition are the preferred source for insight into cognitive aging — especially to assist with diagnostic decisions,” said Dr. Mahncke. “We were looking for a brief, self-administered assessment that might be used, after an in-person examination (as it was in this study), for relatively quick, and perhaps more frequent, monitoring purposes.”

The study, conducted at McGill University, was designed to assess the usability and validity of Freeze Frame, a cognitive assessment available on the BrainHQ platform, in predicting executive function performance in healthy older adults. Performance on Freeze Frame was analyzed in relation to self-reported demographic variables and to neuropsychological function, using NIH-EXAMINER, a widely adopted measure of executive function.

Freeze Frame is designed to measure inhibitory control (a critical component of executive function), which is the rapid ability to suppress impulsive reactions in favor of task-relevant actions in rapidly changing environments — to support cognitive flexibility, working memory, and goal focus. 

In the Freeze Frame task, participants are presented a target image at the start of a block of trials, in which a rapid (often split-second) stream of targets and foils are presented. Participants withhold any response when presented with a target, and they enter a rapid response to each foil. Each block dynamically adjusts to become harder or easier depending on the participant’s performance, and to pinpoint an overall score. 

The study enrolled 92 healthy older adults (aged 65-83, average age 72). The study found that the Freeze Frame assessment significantly associated and positively correlated with the NIH EXAMINER executive function composite score. 

Because cognitive performance generally declines with age, and because women tend to exhibit slightly better executive function, the assessment (as expected) showed a small but statistically significant relationship to age and gender, but no such association with years of education. A psychometric evaluation supported its usability, with an average completion time of 4 minutes.

“We’ve been building and testing assessments for several years to provide more cognitive performance data to enable ongoing monitoring,” Dr. Mahncke added. “The beauty here is each assessment ties directly to our brain exercises, which have been shown to improve both cognitive function and performance of everyday tasks. This creates a path for monitoring and maintaining independent living.”

BrainHQ exercises have shown benefits in more than 300 studies. Such benefits include gains in cognition (attention, speed, memory, decision-making), in quality of life (depressive symptoms, confidence and control, health-related quality of life) and in real-world activities (health outcomes, balance, driving, workplace activities). BrainHQ is used by leading health and Medicare Advantage plans, by leading medical centers, clinics, and communities, and by elite athletes, the military, police, and other organizations focused on split-second peak performance. Consumers can try a BrainHQ exercise for free daily at https://www.brainhq.com. 

This research was supported by the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health under Award Numbers R44AG039965 and 3R44AG039965-06S1. This content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health

Novel Digital Test Provides Revolutionary Tool to Assess Brain Chemistry
Large Implications for Cognitive Aging and Dementia

San Francisco, July 7, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — For the first time, a study shows a digital assessment can provide a scientific measure of acetylcholine – a key brain chemical whose decline signals the progression of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. The assessment (here) can be self-administered and completed in about three minutes on internet-connected devices — with big implications for cognitive aging and dementia. The assessment was developed by Posit Science, the maker ofBrainHQ brain training exercises and assessments, and examined as part of an NIH-funded study in collaboration with researchers at McGill University.

“Currently, it’s impossible for doctors to monitor this brain chemical despite its importance because it requires expensive imaging equipment and special expertise available at few research centers,” said Dr. Henry Mahncke, CEO of Posit Science. “This breakthrough shows a new path for routine monitoring of brain health by doctors and individuals.” 

The brain’s neuromodulatory system produces brain chemicals that impact mood, learning, attention, responsiveness, and memory. Brain scientists have known for decades that the system (and its subsystems that produce various brain chemicals) operate more sluggishly (downregulate) with aging and various health conditions.

The assessment focuses on the cholinergic system — a subsystem that produces the brain chemical acetylcholine — sometimes called the “pay attention” chemical, because it is produced when you pay attention. The production of acetylcholine is known to down regulate with normal aging, and even more severely with pre-dementia and with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). 

Cholinergic function is recognized as a key biomarker of overall brain health, regulates the ability of the brain to change (“plasticity”), and is associated with stronger cognitive performance (in sensory processing, attention, learning, memory, and executive function). Poor cholinergic function is linked to the production of plaque and tangles associated with ADRD, as well deficits in other conditions.

Currently there is no easily accessible way to measure cholinergic function. No standardized blood test to directly measure it exists. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) brain imaging techniques can be used; however, this method is costly, requires specialized expertise, and exposes participants to radiation, limiting its use in clinical practice. 

“We developed a digital cognitive test to be a sensitive measure of brain health. To validate the test, we approached the researchers at The Neuro at McGill University, because it is one of a small number of places on the planet with the imaging technology to measure acetylcholine directly,” said Dr. Henry Mahncke. “In this study, they measured acetylcholine alongside cognitive performance using our assessment.”

The imaging study enrolled 92 healthy older adults (average age 72). Each was measured using: a BrainHQ assessment (Double Decision); two other validated neuropsychological assessments; and a PET scan using tracer to evaluate cholinergic neurotransmission.

The study showed better scores on the Double Decision assessment correlated with higher cholinergic function, indicating that the assessment could estimate cholinergic function without the complexity and risk of doing a PET scan. These results align with prior studies showing a significant relationship between cholinergic function and cognitive performance as measured by clinician-administered tools.

The assessment was brief, taking an average of 3 minutes to complete, and demonstrated good usability with reasonable descriptive and psychometric properties. It was sensitive to age within the narrow band measured of 65-83 years and was not influenced by demographic factors such as years of education or gender. 

The researchers conclude: “The results support the adoption of this scalable form of biomarker-informed cognitive assessment available to individuals with an internet-connected device.”

“These researchers also are looking at whether our brain exercises can upregulate acetylcholine, which would have a tremendous impact on cognitive aging and ADRD research,” Dr. Mahncke added. “We look forward to learning more.

BrainHQ exercises have shown benefits in more than 300 studies. Such benefits include gains in cognition (attention, speed, memory, decision-making), in quality of life (depressive symptoms, confidence and control, health-related quality of life) and in real-world activities (health outcomes, balance, driving, workplace activities). BrainHQ is used by leading health and Medicare Advantage plans, by leading medical centers, clinics, and communities, and by elite athletes, the military, and other organizations focused on peak performance. Consumers can try a BrainHQ exercise for free daily at https://www.brainhq.com. 

This research was supported by the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health under Award Numbers R44AG039965 and 3R44AG039965-06S1. This content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health

Hundreds of Studies Show Efficacy of One Particular Brain Fitness Program

San Francisco, January 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — New data from papers published in science and medical journals in 2024 shows tremendous growth in the evidence of efficacy of one particular brain fitness product: BrainHQ from Posit Science.  The widely used web, Android, and iOS app was the subject of another 55 published journal articles in 2024. 

There are now some 300 published peer-reviewed studies on the efficacy of BrainHQ, including 96 studies in healthy older adults, 4 studies in workplace performance, and 200 studies across a wide range of health conditions — including brain injuries (stroke, mild to severe traumatic brain injuries, chemobrain, cardiobrain, HIV Associated Neurological Decline, diabetes, movement disorders, autism, ADHD, and substance use, sleep, and conduct disorders); mental illnesses (depression, schizophrenia, bipolar); and neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s dementia, pre-dementia, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis).

BrainHQ is an outlier in the field. According to a comprehensive systematic review of commercially-available brain training and brain games targeting older adults, the lion’s share of such offerings have zero peer-reviewed studies showing efficacy.

“We work with a global network of more than 500 university-based researchers,” observed Dr. Henry Mahncke, CEO of Posit Science. “They have helped us design, test, refine, and validate our offerings. Thousands of hours of work go into a typical study, and those researchers are the real heroes in advancing our knowledge of the mechanics of brain plasticity and how we can harness it to drive gains in three critical areas: cognitive performance, everyday activities, and the health of the brain as an organ.”

For example, studies in prior years have shown the link between the exercises driving gains in cognitive performance and everyday activity and causing physical changes in the brain (e.g., the speed, accuracy, and strength of neural responses, the integrity of the insulation that surrounds neural connections, the functional connectivity between disparate regions of the brain, and hippocampal volume).  The 2024 BETTER Aging study nicely expanded on those results through imaging, by showing not just gains in cognitive performance but also better maintenance of brain biomarkers of age-related atrophy. 

Similarly, the J-MINT PRIME Tamba study from Japan (using a Japanese version of BrainHQ exercises) expanded on prior studies by showing the training can drive significant gains in cognition even among those at elevated risk of dementia (in this study, due to hypertension and/or diabetes). The study compared three different types of lifestyle interventions (diet, physical exercise, and brain exercise) against a control and found a 41% gain in a standard measure of global cognition in the brain exercise group using BrainHQ.

A study from Brazil in healthy older adults (using the Portuguese version of BrainHQ exercises), also showed significant gains in global cognition after 20 hours of training, which gains still persisted at the five-month follow-up.

A trio of studies of BrainHQ cognitive assessments were published in 2024. Two looked at the widely used BrainHQ UFOV® assessment, which measures speed of processing and useful field of view. A study from China used the UFOV assessment to evaluate brains of ping pong players and found an association between UFOV performance and brain health as measured through brain imaging. A study among patients with HIV Associated Neurological Decline found greater amounts of BrainHQ training showed greater gains in UFOV scores, even two years after training.  In addition, a study on the norming and validation of dozens of new 3-minute remote BrainHQ assessments has cleared the path for using those assessments in a variety of contexts to establish baselines and ongoing monitoring of cognitive status — much as people are able to do at home with blood pressure or glucose levels.

Other studies in 2024 deepened understanding of the impacts of BrainHQ training across some previously studied health conditions, including: stroke, TBI, Chemobrain, HAND, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, Down syndrome, multiple sclerosis, pre-dementia, and cognitive aging. 

Prior to 2024, many studies had been published in various types of pre-dementia and dementia (e.g., MCI, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s); however, 2024 saw the first BrainHQ case study in frontotemporal dementia published.

Also in 2024, there were more studies looking at the combined impact of BrainHQ and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), which is also believed to enhance brain plasticity. Such trials had mixed results with some showing greater gains for combined intervention, but others showing no better results than using BrainHQ alone.

Among the 15 review articles citing BrainHQ in 2024 was one from a research team at the University of Hong Kong. That review cited thirty-five studies in dementia and pre-dementia, showing training improved memory. These findings align with the 2024 World Health Organization guidelines recommending cognitive training in dementia.

Benefits have been shown in hundreds of studies of BrainHQ, including significant gains in standard measures of cognition (attention, processing speed, memory, and decision making), in standard measures of quality of life (depressive symptoms, confidence and control, safety, health-related quality of life) and in real-world measures (health outcomes, balance, driving, hearing, and work). BrainHQ is now offered, without charge, as a benefit by leading national and 5-star Medicare Advantage plans and by leading medical centers, clinics, and communities. Consumers can try a BrainHQ exercise for free daily at http://www.brainhq.com. 

Get Fit! How to Drastically Enhance Your Athletic Performance

All athletes want to live their dreams and compete professionally as long as they can. You have the skills, and you have impressed enough people. You know you have a fighting chance, but the numbers can be pretty harsh. The chance of making a living out of what you love is pretty slim, meaning you really have to do your best to make it. You have to push the limits at all times, and continue to drastically enhance your athletic performance. The following are some tips to help you do just that.

Enhance Your Brain

You might not think your mind has much to do with your athletic performance, but it does. Your brain is one of the most important parts of your body, and making sure that it is running optimally should help enhance your performance. This is why you need to stimulate your mind using cognitive training among other tools. One thing you can do is solve a complex puzzle in your free time. Playing strategy games can keep your mind nimble. A sharper mind makes it easier for your brain to make quick but effective decisions, which is vital for any athlete.

Eat Right

The body can only use what it is given, so making sure you are giving it the very best is crucial. This means sticking to safe, healthy, and organic food. Beyond that, it is also important to seek out foods that are known to help improve athletic performance, such as probiotics. These organisms can be found in fermented foods and drinks, such as yogurt or kombucha. They help the body digest food and absorb more nutrients than it would otherwise, which makes them quite important.

Get a Cellular Boost

Okay, you have taken care of your diet and are doing what you can to enhance your brain’s ability to think, but you can also address your cells. Companies dedicated to athletic performance like ASEA sell products that have the ability to optimize cells within the body. This helps cells perform at their very best. You will likely produce more energy and be the very best version of yourself by simply making sure your cells are in tip-top shape. You should talk to a health professional to find out other ways to boost cellular function.

Lifestyle Revolution

You are young and may be drawn to things that could be hurting your athletic performance. For example, many people stay up late and end up losing sleep. You cannot afford this as an athlete because your body needs sleep to repair itself after training or a harsh game. You also have to find ways to balance your emotional and mental health. Both of these are vital because they directly correlate with your spirit. Every athlete knows that the spirit gives you that last burst of energy or power when you need it the most. Consider joining a meditation class to help you stay grounded and peaceful, or practice yoga to find ways to keep your mind and emotional health in good condition.

Food on the Brain…

Top Brain Boosters to Add and Brain Drainers to Drop From Your Shopping List

The foods you have in your pantry and fridge may be helping or hindering your brain. Dr. Christopher Calapai DO, a New York City Osteopathic Physician board certified in family and anti-aging medicine explains that the foods we choose have a lot to do with how sharp, attentive, alert, focused and happy we feel after they are consumed. Certain foods may taste great have additives in them that literally cloud our brains and leave us sluggish and dull headed. The opposite is also true. We can eat certain foods and feel a charge of mental energy and focus. We spoke to Dr. Calapai and got a quick list of foods that boost and drain the brain. Which ones will you add and remove from your shopping list?

Brain Boosting Foods to Add!

1 Nuts and seeds

Nuts and seeds are great sources of vitamin E.  Higher levels of vitamin E correspond with less cognitive decline as you get older. Add an ounce a day of walnuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, almonds, cashews, peanuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flax seed, and un-hydrogenated nut butters such as peanut butter, almond butter, and tahini. Raw or roasted doesn't matter, although if you're on a sodium-restricted diet, buy unsalted nuts. “Adding nuts to your diet can aid in decreasing levels of enzymes that lead to protein plaques from forming and dementia. Nuts can also reduce brain inflammation, keep blood pressure low, key for preventing stroke,” explains Dr. Calapai.

2. Blueberries

“I eat these daily and encourage patients to add blueberries to as many things as possible. They’re great on their own, added to a shake, to oatmeal, or even to a salad,” says Dr. Calapai. Blueberries are tasty and sweet and loaded with antioxidants. They’re packed with vitamin C, K and fiber and pack high levels of gallic acid, making them especially good at protecting our brains from degeneration and stress. “Studies show that eating blueberries can boost focus and memory for up to 5 hours,” adds Dr. Calapai

3. Broccoli

Broccoli is one of the best brain foods out there. Thanks to its high levels of vitamin K and choline which is a B vitamin know for aiding brain development keeps memory sharp and protects the brain from later decline with age. It’s also loaded with vitamin C. Just one cup provides you with 150 percent of your recommended daily intake. Its high-fiber levels makes you feel full quickly, too. “People hear broccoli and roll their eyes thinking it’s bland a boring. Think of broccoli as a canvas ready to be painted with spices and flavors, offers Dr. Calapai. Try stir frying with a bit of olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Add in a spoonful of orange or lemon juice and it gets this nice sweetness to it.

4. Fish

Salmon, mackerel, tuna, and other fish are rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). DHA seems to be very important for the normal functioning of neurons in the brain. Eating more fish often means eating less red meat and other forms of protein that are high in artery-clogging saturated fats. “People who are lacking in Omega 3’s can experience mood swings and feeling edgy or negative. Omega 3’s have been know to be mood boosters in addition to enhancing focus and memory,” says Dr. Calapai.

5. Avocado

This creamy treat is also a rich source of the antioxidant vitamin E. Research suggests that foods rich in vitamin E—including avocado, which is also high in the antioxidant powerhouse vitamin C—are associated with a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

Brain Drainers to Drop!!

1. Partially Hydrogenated Oils

There is zero reason to ever eat foods that list "partially hydrogenated oils" in their ingredients list. It's code for trans fats, which, in addition to upping your risk for obesity and damaging your heart health, can cause serious brain drain. “Diets high in trans fats increase beta-amyloid, peptide 'plaque' deposits in brain associated with Alzheimer's disease. One study published in Neurology found that people who consumed high levels of trans fats had lower cognitive abilities and smaller brains later in life,” says Dr. Calapai. Common culprits include fried foods, baked goods, and processed foods. So bake or grill chicken instead of frying it, go for sweet potatoes instead of French fries and avoid anything wrapped in plastic that sits on a shelf for months at a time.

2. Added sugars

The average American eats 79 pounds of added sweeteners per year which can cause constant insulin spikes and inflammation resulting in both vascular and neuronal damage. One study published in Brain, Behavior and Immunity found that large amounts of sugar cause the hippocampus, the brain's memory control center, to become inflamed, meaning it can’t work at 100 percent. Meanwhile, one cross-cultural analysis found that high sugar intake is linked to depression. “Sugar is a big trap because when you eat something sweet there’s a high initially. It feels good at first taste but then once it starts to be processed in the body there’s a heaviness that follows, says Dr. Calapai.

3. Saturated fat

A diet high in saturated fat can decrease the brain’s ability to fight the formation of Alzheimer's-linked brain plaque. An onslaught of saturated fat also hurts your brain in the short-term. Saturated fat impairs your brain's ability to learn and form new memories within as little as 10 minutes after chowing down. Processed meats such as bacon, pepperoni, pork sausage, or chorizo are examples of very tasty foods that are high in saturated fat. “Look we all like to indulge from time to time and that is fine, but when saturated fats are staples in your diet, then that’s going to take a toll,” advises Dr. Calapai.

About the Doctor:

Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O. is an Osteopathic Physician board certified in family medicine, and anti-aging medicine. Proclaimed the "The Stem Cell Guru" by the New York Daily News, Dr. Calapai is a leader in the field of stem cell therapy in the U.S. His stem cell treatments have achieved remarkable results in clinical trials on patients with conditions as varied as Alzheimer's, arthritis, erectile dysfunction, frailty syndrome, heart, kidney and liver failure, lupus, MS and Parkinson's. He has worked with Mike Tyson, Mickey Rourke, Steven Seagal, and Gotham's, Donal Logue; and as a medical consultant for the New York Rangers. Connect with him via twitter @drcalapai or at www.drca

BrainHQ Crushes Competition in First Review of Science Behind Brain Apps

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 31, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The first systematic review of study evidence that commercially-available, brain-training programs might help with healthy aging just published in Neuropsychological Review. The reviewers found that BrainHQ from Posit Science had by far the most and the highest quality studies.

The authors of this first systematic review conclude "current evidence supports that at least some commercially available computerized brain training products can assist in promoting healthy brain aging."

The reviewers surveyed the brain training market and the academic literature to categorize the quantity and quality of peer-reviewed studies showing effects of brain training in healthy aging.

They looked at 18 commercially-available, brain-training programs, and found that 11 had no clinical trials or empirical evidence for review.

The reviewers found seven companies had studies that were relevant, and met the review criteria of being peer-reviewed clinical trials of computerized exercises with formal cognitive outcome measures for healthy adults aged 50 and older. This methodology resulted in 26 studies for review.

Of those 26 studies, 10 were trials of Posit Science exercises.  Eight of those 10 studies were judged to be of the highest quality. Posit Science far outpaced its nearest competitor, which had three studies of which only one was considered high quality.

The reviewers wrote: "Multiple peer-reviewed articles evaluating Posit Science programs have fulfilled the gold standard for clinical trials."

Of the seven companies that the reviewers found had any relevant evidence from trials, Lumosity was found to anchor the lower-end, with what the reviewers described as one randomized controlled trial of "moderate quality."

The reviewers noted that until five years ago there were relatively few studies of brain-training programs. Even now, the lack of a systematic review has left "clinicians with inadequate information from which to base recommendations for their patients at risk of cognitive decline."

However, with this review the authors conclude that the evidence behind a majority of the programs evaluated supports "the notion that the human brain is plastic in later life, and can benefit from specifically designed brain training programs."

"There’s been a lot of conflicting reports on whether or not brain training works," said Dr. Ralph Martins, who led the review team.  "This systematic review shows that some brain training has lots of evidence of efficacy, which may surprise some health professionals. Personally, I was more surprised by the amount of brain training on the market with no evidence at all."

"This review performs an overdue public service by differentiating between what has been shown to work and what has little or no evidence," said Dr. Henry Mahncke, CEO of Posit Science, which makes BrainHQ. "It`s a strong response to those who have said that the evidence for brain training is `mixed` - what`s mixed is the scientific quality of different brain training programs, some of which have strong evidence for efficacy and some of which have none."

"This review marks a first step of treating brain training programs like we treat new pharmaceuticals - carefully evaluating which ones work, and then putting those to work to help people," Dr. Mahncke concluded.

Study: Brain Exercises May Help with Impact of Ringing in the Ears

A study just published in JAMA Otolaryngology indicates that certain brain exercises from Posit Science may help patients better cope with tinnitus – a condition commonly referred to as “ringing in the ears.”

The US Centers for Disease Control estimates some 15% of Americans (about 50 million people) have experienced tinnitus; roughly 20 million Americans struggle with burdensome chronic tinnitus; and two million have extreme and debilitating cases. The global number has been estimated at about 360 million people.

In 99 percent of cases, people with tinnitus hear a persistent or intermittent sound (ringing, tones, buzzing, whistling, clicking, etc) that cannot be heard by others, nor objectively measured. In recent years, it has been reported that the incidence is particularly high among firefighters and other first responders exposed to loud sound blasts – a group that was heavily represented in this study.

Typically, individuals with tinnitus have worse than average working memory, selective attention, processing speed and reaction times. The researchers hypothesized that since the plasticity-based brain exercises in BrainHQ had been shown effective in these areas in other populations, they might be beneficial in tinnitus.

In the study run at Washington University in St. Louis, researchers randomized 40 patients, who reported having bothersome tinnitus for at least six months, into an intervention and a no contact control group. The intervention group was asked to train one hour a day, five days per week, for eight weeks with a regimen of online auditory brain training exercises derived from the online BrainHQ exercises from Posit Science. Another 20 healthy adults acted as a second control for comparison purposes.

Intervention and control participants were measured at the beginning and end of the eight-week training period across a number of behavioral and cognitive self-report instruments, through brain scans and with qualitative assessment.

Researchers reported no significant between group differences on the behavioral and cognitive self-report instruments, but the qualitative assessment indicated that half the intervention group reported they felt improvement in their tinnitus.

When asked how much their tinnitus had changed from the start of the study, 50% of the intervention group reported they experienced improvement (with 30% reporting they were much or very much improved), as compared to only 15% in the control group who reported improvement (all of which was reported as minimal improvement).  Researchers noted that the qualitative assessment mainly reported improvements in tinnitus, memory, attention and concentration.

The MRI neuro-imaging showed significant between group differences, with the intervention group showing strengthening in areas associated with control and attention. The researchers found this to be consistent with the hypothesis that the plasticity-based exercises drive structural changes in the brain associated with better outcomes.

"We believe that continued research into the role of cognitive training rehabilitation programs is supported by the findings of this study, and the role of neuroplasticity seems to hold a prominent place in the future treatments for tinnitus," the researchers reported. "On the basis of our broad recruitment and enrollment strategies, we believe the results of this study are applicable to most patients with tinnitus who seek medical attention."

“These are encouraging results in addressing a common condition that can have effects ranging from the bothersome to the severely debilitating and life-altering.” said Dr. Henry Mahncke, CEO of Posit Science, the maker of the BrainHQ exercises. “These results further earlier work using our exercises and assessments in this area.  We plan to seek additional support for further research, which may someday allow us to bring to market a targeted program for people with tinnitus.”

As the New Year approaches, many people begin to ponder about potential New Year’s resolutions. Whether it be getting into better shape, or advancing your career, the first step in making personal and professional enhancements is shoring up the foundation… which is YOU.  As you develop your New Year resolutions, it is important to prioritize mental health and wellness goals. Chinwe Williams is an associate professor at Argosy University, Atlanta. She also has private practice where she helps many of her patients deal with stress and anxiety. Wellness strategies have become essential for the prevention of physical and mental health illnesses.  Below are a few simple self-care tips that Dr. Williams says you can immediately implement to help you optimize your overall mental and emotional well-being.

Dr. Williams' 6 Mental Health and Wellness Tips

1. Limit the use of technology. Technology holds an important place in our modern society. However, the amount of time we spend on technology is astonishing and can impact us socially and psychologically. While technology can provide a nice escape from life stressors (e.g., Netflix binges and Instagram surfing), our attachment to technology can also breed isolation.  A study looking at human behavior noted a negative relationship with increased social media use and happiness in relationships. Additionally, taking a break from technology is a great way to give your brain some much needed down time allowing creativity to flow in.  Intentional disengagement with your smart phone may lead to intentional and meaningful engagement with others.
2. Take a hike. Thanks to cognitive neuroscience, we know that physical health is a key component of mental health.  The mind and body is not just connected but deeply intertwined.  Our bodies immediately respond to the way we think, feel, and behave. Movement based practices have been shown to boost endorphins, and alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. Physical activity can also help clear your head of thoughts making room for sharper focus.  Whether your New Year resolution involves starting a new hobby, losing a few pounds or enhancing your overall health, try to commit to brief, but regular, exercise practices. Yoga, Zumba, or hiking are just a few activities that can calm your mind and your body.
3. Nurture important relationships. Relationships need maintenance, just like anything else. The importance of spending quality time with close friends and family cannot be overestimated. While there are a dozen technological ways to connect with friends, there’s nothing like real face time, specifically sharing the same space and breathing the same air as another human being. Small gestures build strong connections. Plan to spend time with loved ones on a routine basis just to unwind, laugh, and have some old fashion fun. You know that person that keeps popping up in your mind this week? Give him/her a call. It may not be such a random thought.
4. Begin Journaling. The first step in improving your mental and emotional health is recognizing your thoughts and emotions, and understanding the root of them. Expressing yourself through writing can help to ease mental discomfort by releasing negative, destructive emotions.  Begin the practice of journaling by jotting down your thoughts and feelings about events that occurred during the day. Journaling is very therapeutic-it enhances your self-awareness and understanding of what is deeply meaningful to you.  Be sure to start or end each journaling session by including what you are most grateful for.  Gratitude is acknowledging the positive aspects of your life and expressing thanks for them.
5.  Don’t be afraid to say “No”. Although “No” only has 2-letters, it might as well be a four-letter word for some.  At one point or another, we’ve all suffered from the “disease to please.” Saying yes when you want to say no often leads to feeling overwhelmed and sometimes resentful.  It can also do a disservice to yourself and the person making the request. It is important to note that by saying no to that coworker or neighbor means that you are saying yes to other things that you truly value, an afternoon with a loved one, or just time alone re-charging.
6. Be compassionate with yourself. What ever your resolutions are for the New Year, remember to be kind to yourself. Tackling a new challenge is not always easy. The road to progress is pebbled with ups and downs and frequent setbacks. Setting extremely high or unrealistic expectations for yourself increases the likelihood that you may not meet them, which can reinforce feelings of shame or self-doubt. Don't beat yourself up! The key to optimizing efforts toward any goal is to remain persistent, recognize your accomplishments-no matter how small, and to be patient with yourself.

As the holidays draw to an end and the New Year quickly approaches, which mental health and wellness strategy will you begin?

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA) November 17, 2016 – Each year, between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, the roads become increasingly congested with distracted, stressed, rushed, and often aggressive drivers. The good news is that there are now steps you can actively take to protect yourself and your passengers with nothing more than a short investment of time on your computer, tablet, or phone.

Numerous studies show that a relatively small amount of time spent using certain brain-training exercises can actually improve focus and reaction time – improvements that lead to safer driving and fewer accidents. In fact, a recent field trial from AAA of Southern California has shown that the resulting cognitive improvements directly translate to fewer collisions on the road.

With funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the research that led to these brain exercises began in the 1980s in an effort to explain why older drivers, who are generally more careful about safety than their younger counterparts, still have more crashes per mile driven. The researchers discovered that improving the brain’s processing speed and attention has a far more significant impact on driving safety than simply re-learning and observing the rules of the road.

On average, in every decade after your 20s, the brain slows down – typically by fractions of a second. Because it cannot process as quickly, the brain compensates by taking in less information. The amount of information that can be processed visually with a glance typically shrinks as people age or become distracted. The brain also needs more time to process and react to information.

Fortunately, leading researchers have shown that certain types of brain exercises can effectively engage the brain’s plasticity – that is, its inherent ability to change, make new connections, and rewire itself – to ultimately speed up processing and improve attention. Over the past 20 years, numerous NIH-funded studies have published showing that these “visual speed of processing” exercises can improve driving performance, with findings of:

• More than doubling visual speed of processing;
• Increasing reaction time to provide an additional 22 feet of stopping distance, while traveling at 55 mph;
• Reducing dangerous driving maneuvers by 36%;
• Decreasing the rate of driving cessation by 55%;
• Maintaining ability to drive, as measured by frequency, distance, and challenging driving conditions; and
• Cutting at-fault crash incidence nearly in half (by 48%).

Recently, AAA of Southern California announced results from its own five-year field trial of these unique exercises, involving more than 35,000 drivers insured by AAA, in which they found a 30% decrease in collision claims among people training with these visual speed of processing exercises. The insurer now offers premium discounts to drivers who complete the training.

The exercises used in all these studies are commercially available from Posit Science, as part of its online BrainHQ subscription service at brainhq.com.

“Time and again, studies have shown that these visual training exercises help participants see more and see things more quickly,” said Dr. Henry Mahncke, CEO of Posit Science, creator of the BrainHQ exercises. “Split seconds can really matter when you are traveling at 55 or even 30 miles per hour. Remaining focused is particularly important during the holidays when you and other drivers have a lot of things on your mind.”

Breast cancer patients and support groups first brought attention to a phenomenon they called “chemo brain” or “chemo fog” in the 1980s. The often vague yet incredibly distressing mental changes cancer patients experienced were real, yet many medical professionals continued to question the phenomenon’s seriousness and very existence. Studies on cancer-related cognitive decline unfortunately did not begin until the late 1990s, and, 30 years later, there is still no treatment.

However, a new study will publish on Monday, October 31^st, which suggests that the lack of understanding and treatment for cancer-related cognitive decline may be about to change. For decades cancer patients have been affected by chemo brain – a mental cloudiness noticed before, during, and after cancer treatment. Defined as a decrease in mental “sharpness” – with many chemo brain patients having difficulties with memory recall, finishing tasks, and learning new skills – chemo brain indisputably impacts every aspect of the patient’s life. One doctor working to reverse such devastating effects is world-renowned scientist and founder of Posit Science, Dr. Michael Merzenich.

If you are interested in discussing the major developments and breakthroughs being made in the fight against cancer-related cognitive decline, the future of medicine, and how technology is creating new cognitive medical advancements, please let me know – I would be happy to arrange an interview with Dr. Merzenich or provide you with written commentary and additional information.

Additionally, please let me know if you would be interested in an early release on the forthcoming chemo brain study.