Tag Archives: brain science

How Our Attention Works

Last week we gave a summarizing overview of what is currently known about memory. This week we take a look at attention. Attention is generally defined as our ability to selectively focus on one thing, idea, or task while filtering out other distractions. Another way to describe attention is selective concentration. Attention is the function [...]

How Our Memory Works

The way our brain stores, maintains and retrieves memory is a fascinating process. It is only recently that neuroscientists and academic researchers are beginning to really understand how this complicated process works. There are three primary ways we process incoming information: sensory memory, short-term (working) memory, and long-term memory. Sensory Memory – Sensory memory is [...]

8 Unusual Facts About Your Brain

This week we explore eight unusual facts you may or may not know about your brain. Do you know other unusual facts not on the list below? Please let us know by including them in the comment section below. 1. No rest for your brain Believe it or not, although rest is quite important for [...]

Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease and Cognitive Decline

A response to The New York Times article, “Years Later, No Magic Bullet Against Alzheimer’s Disease”, dated Aug 28, 2010 based on the NIH Report “Preventing Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline” from Dr. Peter Magaro. In late spring 2010, the National Institute for Health (NIH) produced a review of research on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and [...]

Get Moving This Labor Day Weekend

One of the long standing mantras here at Brain Fitness for Life is the positive correlation between staying active and maintaining your cognitive ability as you age. This week a U.S. News & World Report article titled Attention, Couch Potatoes! Walking Boosts Brain Connectivity, Function gave details of a recent cognitive study published in the [...]

Seniors Should Maintain an Active Lifestyle

My colleague Dr. Jeffery Cummings gave a very informative interview to the Las Vegas Review-Journal last week (entitled Alzheimer’s studies urge active retirement). In the article, Dr. Cummings highlights the growing body of research that leading an active life, especially after retirement, appears to be one of the most important things one can do in [...]

9 Differences Between the Male and Female Brain

Most people are intrigued by the thought processes of the opposite sex. Despite rumors to the contrary, men and women are from the same planet. However, there are many differences between the brains of men and women. I have listed nine of them below. There is bound to be some respectful discourse about this topic, [...]

What is Neuroplasticity?

For more than four centuries it was a common held belief that our brains only developed during childhood and then grew rigid during adulthood lending false credence to the old adage, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” But researchers are continuing to prove that this outdated theory is not accurate and are providing [...]

Could Brain Scans Help You Pick a Job in the Future?

Ability tests are nothing new. You need to take the SAT to get into a good college. Athletes at varying levels need to be able to perform physical tests at predetermined levels to join the team. Failing to reach a certain standard can be the difference between success and failure in numerous life situations. Now, [...]

7 Myths About the Human Brain

7.  Humans have bigger brains than all other animals: Although we are the smartest mammals, we don’t have the largest brains on this planet. Whales and elephants have bigger brains than humans, but their brains are obvious less developed comparatively. What does make us unique is our ratio of brain weight to body weight, which [...]