We recently ran an online survey among subscribers of our SharpBrains eNewsletter, and over 500 people said we have helped them make better personal or professional decisions on how to maintain and improve brain fitness. Most gave very illuminating examples, which we are reading and enjoying as we speak.

Respondents...

In the midst of much healthcare reform talk, not enough attention seems focused on ensuring health care systems' preparedness to deal with cognitive health issues -- with Alzheimer's Disease as the most dramatic example -- which are predicted to grow given aging population trends.

Today, September 21st, is World Alzheimer's...

Massachusetts lawmakers are considering a new elderly driver bill to improve driving safety, following a number of unfortunate accidents this year. You can expect a growing number of similar bills in the next few years, given our aging population, and also more focus on preventive measures to help older drivers...

Groundbreaking cognitive neuroscience research has occurred over the last 20 years - without parallel growth of consumer awareness and appropriate professional dissemination. "Cognition" remains an elusive concept with unclear implications outside the research community.

Earlier this year, I presented a talk to health care professionals at the New York Academy...

There are many recent studies and articles on the brain and how to maintain it in top shape -- let me connect a few dots and highlight several key resources and developments.

Public libraries have long offered the public more than books. And now, recent demographic and scientific trends are...

Think about this: How can anyone take care of his or her brain when every week brings a new barrage of articles and studies which seem to contradict each other?

Do supplements improve memory? Do you need both physical and mental exercise -- or is one of them enough? Which...

My wife and I just came back from an inspiring Goldman Prize Award ceremony, where seven grassroots environmental change-makers were recognized for their work and resiliency, and shared their passion and purpose with everyone attending the event. We did hear too from Al Gore, Tracy Chapman, Robert Redford, and the...

Today we discuss some of the brain implications of "always on" workplaces and lifestyles via a fascinating interview with Maggie Jackson, an award-winning author and journalist. Her latest book, Distracted: The Erosion of Attention and the Coming Dark Age, describes the implications of our busy work and life...

In April 2008, Baycrest, a leading research institute focused on aging and brain function, received $10-million from the Ontario Government to create a groundbreaking Centre for Brain Fitness. Its stated goal was to "develop and commercialize a range of products designed to improve the brain health of aging Ontarians...

The IMPACT study which we reported on in December 2007, funded by Posit Science, conducted by the Mayo Clinic and USC Davis, has just announced publication at the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. (Reference: Smith et al. A Cognitive Training Program Designed Based on Principles of Brain Plasticity: Results...

Below you have The 10 Most Popular Brain Fitness & Cognitive Health Books, based on book purchases by SharpBrains' readers during 2008.

But let me start by introducing what we expect will be a very influential book in years to come. Neuroscientist Torkel Klingberg has written a very stimulating...

Thinking about best ways to maintain your brain in top shape in 2009?

Let me share a quick definition of "brain fitness", and a ranking of the most popular articles of 2008 on the topic. I hope this will help you understand and navigate the array of options to maintain...

I recently had the fortune to interview Dr. Andrew Newberg, one of the leading researchers focused on meditation and the brain. Dr. Andrew Newberg is an Associate Professor in the Department of Radiology and Psychiatry and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Pennsylvania....

"If Dr. Rob can interview Santa, why can't I interview a select group of health & medical bloggers? They will have some good ideas to share."

So did President-elect Obama came to realize a few days ago. After his people kindly contacted our people, we felt compelled to...

The American Medical News, a weekly newspaper for physicians published by the American Medical Association, just published an excellent article to bring recent brain fitness research into doctor's attention:

Steps to a nimble mind: Physical and mental exercise help keep the brain fit
-- Neuroscience is uncovering...

Imagine seeing a top sheik from Dubai, wrapped in traditional Arab clothing, exclaim "Yes We Can" in front of the 800 experts gathered during the Summit of the Global Agenda that just took place in Dubai, co-organized by the World Economic Forum and the Government of Dubai. This same sheik...

I am honored to interview today Michael I. Posner, a prominent scientist in the field of cognitive neuroscience. He is currently an emeritus professor of neuroscience at the University of Oregon (Department of Psychology, Institute of Cognitive and Decision Sciences). In August 2008, the International Union of Psychological...

Insurance company Allstate and brain fitness software developer Posit Science announced today, October 1st, a very intelligent initiative:

Video exercises aid driving skills (Chicago Tribune)

-"Allstate, which called the Posit program "potentially the next big breakthrough in automobile safety," said it expects its software exercises to...

A recent CNN article explains well why a growing number of companies use brainteasers and logic puzzles of a type called "guesstimations" during job interviews:

"Seemingly random questions like these have become commonplace in Silicon Valley and other tech outposts, where companies aren't as interested in the correct answer...

You have may have seen a few weeks ago the interview between former US presidential contender John Edwards and reporter Bob Woodruff. All the resulting media coverage centered on Edwards' declarations. However, there is something much more remarkable that surfaced at that interview: Bob Woodruff's spectacular recovery.

This is the...