SharpBrains announces a new whitepaper featuring 11 interviews with leading neuroscientists, psychologists and experts in the USA, Japan, Israel and Sweden.
San Francisco (PRWEB) November 6, 2007 -- Leading neuroscientists and practitioners debunk common myths related to health and fitness of the brain in a new whitepaper from SharpBrains, Inc. The 11 experts help illuminate the growing research on the role of "brain exercise" for brain fitness, one of the promising areas being discussed this week during the 37th annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience in San Diego.
"We have only scratched the surface of what structured mental exercise can do for our brain health and productivity," says CEO and co-founder of SharpBrains Alvaro Fernandez, who interviewed the experts. "We are witnessing the birth of a new industry that crosses traditional sector boundaries. Emerging research may help millions of people of all ages understand, assess and train their cognitive abilities, harnessing the growing research about neurogenesis (the creation of new neurons), neuroplasticity (the ability of the brain to rewire itself through experience), cognitive training and emotional regulation."
The whitepaper debunks 10 brain fitness myths, which are categorized by industry. These myths include:
Health and Medicine-related myths
- Myth 1: It's all in our genes. Reality: A big component of our lifelong brain health and development depends on what we do with our brains. Our own actions, not only our genes, influence our lives to a large extent.
- Myth 2: The field of Brain Fitness is too new to be credible. Reality: The field rests on solid foundations dating back more than a decade -- what is new is the number and range of tools that are now starting to be available for healthy individuals.
- Myth 3: Medication is and will remain the only evidence-based intervention for problems such as ADD/ ADHD for many years to come. Reality: Cognitive training programs are starting to show value as complements to drug-based interventions.
Education-related myths
- Myth 4: We need to buy expensive computer-based programs to improve our brains. Reality: Every time we learn a new skill, concept or fact, we change the physical composition of our brains. Lifelong learning means lifelong neuroplasticity.
- Myth 5: Schools should just focus on basic skills like Reading and Math. Reality: "Mental muscles," such as working memory, are fundamental to academic performance and are currently overlooked by the school system.
Corporate Training myths
- Myth 6: On-the-job training is the only way to train one's mind. Reality: Computer-based programs can be more effective at developing specific "mental muscles".
- Myth 7: Brain exercise is only for seniors. And, only about memory. Reality: People of all ages can benefit from a variety of regular brain exercises. For active professionals, managing stress and emotions is often a good first step.
- Myth 8: This all sounds too soft to be of real value to business people. Reality: There is nothing soft about the hard science-based training of specific cognitive and emotional skills.
Gaming-related myths
- Myth 9: Videogames are always a waste of time. Reality: Scientifically-designed, computer-based programs can be a good vehicle for training specific skills. For example, it has been shown that short term memory can be expanded by such programs.
- Myth 10: This means kids will spend more time playing videogames. Reality: In Japan - the world's earliest adopter of brain-related videogames- overall home videogame sales have declined, with children playing less over time. Interestingly, adults in Japan have started to play brain-related video games more.
You can receive about this free 40-page whitepaper on the myths concerning health and fitness and the brain by visiting http://www.sharpbrains.com/.
About SharpBrains
Founded in 2006, SharpBrains is the leading science-based information portal, market research and consulting firm that helps individuals, companies and institutions navigate brain health and fitness information, products and services. SharpBrains offers hundreds of articles in its website, an innovative curriculum on Brain Health and Fitness at UC-Berkeley and SFSU Lifelong Learning Institutes, and tailored publications and services for companies, institutions and investors willing to participate in the market.
SharpBrains' Scientific Advisory Board is led by Dr. Elkhonon Goldberg, Clinical Professor of Neurology at New York University School of Medicine, Diplomate of The American Board of Professional Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology, author of "The Executive Brain" and "The Wisdom Paradox" and Chief Scientific Advisor & Co-Founder of SharpBrains. For more information about health and fitness and the brain, visit www.SharpBrains.com and industry leading blog http://www.SharpBrains.com/blog.
Contact:
Caroline Latham
Director of Communications
888.742.7765 x3
caroline @ sharpbrains.com
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