Brain Research

Neuroplasticity: An Extraordinary Discovery of the Twentieth Century
It was long believed that once we grow up, our brains have a set number of neurons performing functions in a fixed way. According to the theory of neuroplasticity, thinking, learning, and acting actually change both the brain's functional anatomy from top to bottom, and its physical anatomy. Canadian psychiatrist Norman Doidge has called neuroplasticity one of the most extraordinary discoveries of the twentieth century. Read more…

What Is Neurogenesis?
For more than a century, medical science firmly believed that we were born with all the brain cells we would ever have. Once they are lost, they cannot be regenerated. That belief has changed. About 20 years ago, research on the ability of adult songbirds to learn new songs showed that their brains created new cells and that these neurons helped them form memories of the new songs. This opened up debate on whether the same process occurred in humans. Read more…

Six Ways to Boost Your Brainpower
A study, led by Arthur F. Kramer of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, involved well-educated men and women aged 55 to 79. Their fitness ranged from sedentary to very fit, competitive-ready athletes. While older adults show a real decline in brain density in white and gray areas, the researchers discovered that fitness actually slows that decline. Read more…

Brain Exercises Can Enhance Memory and Prevent Dementia
Dementia is the loss of mental abilities and most commonly occurs late in life. Of all persons over age 65, 5-8% are demented. This percentage increases considerably with age. What is clear from numerous observational studies is that keeping mentally active throughout life reduces the risk of developing dementia. Read more…

Scientists Unveil the 'Face' of a New Memory
A century-old dream of neuroscientists to visualize a memory has been fulfilled, as University of California, Irvine researchers, using newly developing microscopic techniques, have captured first-time images of the changes in brain cell connections following a common form of learning. Read more..

Is Dyslexia a Brain Dysfunction? An Alternative Interpretation of the Facts
While researchers still differ in opinion about the affected brain area(s), the majority nowadays agrees that the dyslexic's brain differs from that of a "normal" reader. Does this mean that dyslexia is caused by a neurological dysfunction or is there an alternative interpretation that explains these differences? Read more…

Two Hemispheres Better Than One For Aging Brains
Older adults actually use different regions of the brain compared to younger adults to perform the same memory and information processing tasks. Cognitive neuroscientist Patricia Reuter-Lorenz and colleagues provide intriguing clues about how older adults compensate for some of the age-related declines in short-term memory and mental speed that plague so many older Americans. Read more…