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Three studies show we can boost our brains at any age - LearningRx

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By Brain News LearningRx Article July 31, 2017

As far as the neuroscience community is concerned, 2016 was a year that led us to breakthroughs, hope and optimism. With the help of technologies such as the MRI and fMRI, brain researchers have been able to determine before-and-after results of cognitive training and even see changes in the brain in real time. Here are some of the best brain-related studies that support the idea of neuroplasticity (the brain's ability to change at any age) and our ability to improve our brains with dietary changes, cognitive training and aerobic exercise.

1. Vegetable compounds improve cognition in old age.

A study published in the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society looked at the impact of lutein and zeaxanthin natural plant chemicals called carotenoids that are found in a variety of brightly colored vegetables and fruits on cognition in adults ages 65 to 86. They found that higher levels of lutein and zeaxanthin in the retina correlated with improved neural efficiency on memory tasks.

SOURCE: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/314291.php

2. LearningRx one-on-one brain training creates new connections in the brain.

A Randomized Control Trial (RCT) testing LearningRx's (www.LearningRx.com) ThinkRx personal brain training program found significant physical changes in the participants brains after training.

In the study, 30 high school students were randomly assigned to one of three groups: ThinkRx, digital training, or study hall (control) for a 15-week training period. All students underwent cognitive testing and MRIs pre- and post-training. Analysis of cognitive testing scores found that training groups scored significantly higher than controls on multiple tasks, with the most significant gains occurring in auditory processing (analyzing, blending and segmenting sounds).

Even more exciting: fMRI analysis by Dr. Christina Ledbetter, Neuroscientist and Research Fellow at LSU Health Sciences Center, revealed that after cognitive training:

 - During the resting state, multiple regions of the brain showed significant changes in connectivity

 -  The brain's network was more efficient

  - Network changes in the brain were linked to gains in auditory processing

"Using MRI, we looked at underlying brain changes related to gains in auditory processing following LearningRx training", explains Dr. Ledbetter. "We found that changes in brain connectivity occurred between the auditory cortex and cortical areas involved in cognitive processing, and that the degree of change correlated with gains in auditory processing".

The results of the analysisâ. Analysis of Resting State Functional Connectivity in a Cognitive Training Intervention Study have been published in LearningRx's 48-page 2016 edition of Client Outcomes and Research Results (http://www.learningrx.com/our-programs/learningrx-results/ ) and were presented at the 2016 Society for Neuroscience conference by Dr. Ledbetter and Dr. Amy Moore, Director of the Gibson Institute of Cognitive Research.

With 80 Centers in the U.S., and locations in 40 countries around the globe, LearningRx has helped more than 95,000 individuals and families sharpen their cognitive skills to help them think faster, learn easier, and perform better. Their on-site programs partner every client with a personal brain trainer to keep clients engaged, accountable, and on-task a key advantage over online-only brain exercises. Their pioneering methods have been used in clinical settings for 35 years and have been verified as beneficial in peer-reviewed research papers and journals. To learn more about LearningRx research results,programs, and their 9.6 out of 10 client satisfaction rating visit http://www.learningrx.com/.


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