Discover Magazine: How your brain can control time

Discover magazine has a brief article on How Your Brain Can Control Time.

brain clock IQ Brain Clock Discover Magazine mental-time keeping

Future time perception is nonlinear

Nice post at Mind Hacks commenting on post at Developing Intelligence regarding the concept of future time.

time perception brain clock psychology

Grow New Brains - Through Plasticity: Guest post by Heather Johnson

This guest post was contributed by Heather Johnson, who writes on the subject of nursing schools in LA. She invites your feedback at HeatherJohnson2323@gmail.com.

The derogatory insult “Grow a brain” takes on a whole new meaning with neuroplasticity. We all know that the human brain is capable of the most fabulous achievements – its trillions of neurons and cells keep working from the time we are born till the day we die. But the most amazing aspect of the brain is its ability to improve itself – its cognitive, learning and retention powers – when we exercise those cells on a regular basis. It sounds fabulous, but just as physical exercise is good for the body and tones it to become fit and healthy, mental stimulation and exercise have positive effects on the brain and its working, making it perform better and faster.

This “extraordinary discovery” of the brain (according to Canadian psychiatrist Norman Doidge) to change according to new learning and experience has been termed neuroplasticity or plasticity of the brain. On taking a closer look at how neuroplasticity works, we find that it’s involved at a major level when we’re infants and the brain matures as we transform into adults. When neurons mature, they communicate with each other and form connections called synapses; these synaptic connections reduce as we grow older, with the brain retaining only those connections that are used and deleting those that are idle for long periods of time.

Synaptic pruning is thus the reason that we retain some aspects of what we learn through the years while forgetting most others. It’s why experts in a particular field are so good at what they do – their continuous learning and experience in that sphere make those synaptic connections strong and active. How fit your brain is depends on how varied your experiences and how vast your learning is – the more you use your grey cells, the more synaptic connections you retain, and the better your mental health and grasping power.

Neuroplasticity differs from person to person – while the base determinant is our genes, the way we grow up, the people who surround us, and the experiences we go through play a significant role in our learning capacities and in the ability of our brains to possess increased or decreased plasticity. When the brain changes with more learning, either a difference is seen in the structure of the neurons or there’s an increase in the number of synapses formed between the neurons.

Of late, there’s been a new aspect to neuroplasticity that offers hope for those suffering from accident or illness-related brain damage. Norman Doidge talks of miraculous recoveries in his book “The Brain That Changes Itself”, where people born with brain defects or those who lost part of its use through strokes or accidents make their will power work wonders for them. Neuroplasticity is the science that allows the good portions of the brain to take over the activities and functions that the damaged part normally handles. By stimulating continuous and persistent activity, we know for certain that neurons are capable of reorienting themselves and forming new synapses to perform new functions.

It’s important as we grow old to protect ourselves from the mental illnesses like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s that plague the human species by keeping our brains active and using them in challenging situations and activities regularly.

psychology,educational psychology,brain fitness,plasticity,neuroscience,nursing

Excercise may limit brain shrinking

Another benefit to excercise as we age.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/07/14/alzheimers.exercises.ap/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

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Computerized cognitive testing

MOBILE PHONE POST.

Sharp Brains has a good post summarizing the recent activity in large
scale computerized cognitive testing. See link below.

http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/07/14/computerized-cognitive-assessments-opportunities-and-concerns/

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Smart girls and boys use different parts of brains?

MOBILE PHONE POST

From ENL a study suggesting what prior research has suggested in the
past-boys and girls tax different parts of their brains when
performing certain activities.

http://eideneurolearningblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/smart-girls-smart-boys.html

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How to improve memory

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> From SHARP BRAINS
>
> http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/07/09/improve-memory-with-sleep-practice-and-testing/
>
>
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PS to prior post

Yes. Lots of spelling errors in prior FYI post. I'm still learning to
type with my two thumbs on my iPhone keyboard. It is not that easy.
Hang with me. Thanks.

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On the road

I'm on the road I'm Dallas TX. Tomorrow I present at the National
School Neuropsychology Congerence. Posts will be minimal to none. I
shall return on Friday.

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Research byte: Working memory and Parkinsons

Abstract at link below

http://psycnet.apa.org/index.cfm?fa=search.displayRecord&uid=2008-08178-005

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Encephalon brain carnival 49 now out

http://neuroscientificallychallenged.blogspot.com/2008/07/encephalon-49-celebrates-independence.html

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Sharp Brains top 10 brain teasers

Find teasers at link below.

http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/07/06/brain-teasers-to-exercise-our-minds-our-top-five/

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Brain Blogging carnival 36

This brain related blog carnival
can be found at the link.

http://brainblogger.com/2008/07/06/brain-blogging-thirty-sixth-edition/

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Brain feezes explained

I get brain freezes but my lovely wife claims to never had one. The BRAIN BLOGGER writes on possible explainations.

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Developmental coordination disorders: Special journal issue

Given the critical importance of the brain clock in motor coordination and functioning, readers of the IQ Brain Clock blog might want to check out a post at my sister blog (IQs Corner) that features a special issue of Human Movement Science dealing with developmental coordination disorder.

Technorati Tags: psychology, educational psychology, school psychology, neuropsychology, neuroscience, coordination, developmental coordination, motor abilities, OT, PT, CHC, Cattell-Horn-Carroll, Gps, Gp, handwriting, motor rehabilitation

Is your time perspective making you happy or miserable?

I just skimmed a thought provoking article in Time and Society by Drake et al (2008) on peoples "time perspectives." Although not dealing specifically with the milli-second level processing of the brain clock (the primary focus of the IQ Brain Clock Blog), I found the time-related article thought-provoking. I was unfamilar with the research suggesting it is possible to measure and categorize a persons "time perspective" (TP) and, more importantly, relate different patterns of TP's to level of general happiness.

First, below is the abstract of the specific article. I was less interested in the objectives and findings of the current study (relating TP to "mindfullness"), and was more captivated by the overview of the TP literature in the introduction.

• ABSTRACT. This study investigated correlates of five time perspectives (TPs) and the Balanced Time Perspective (BTP) construct proposed by Zimbardo and colleagues. Two hundred and sixty Scottish participants completed the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI: Zimbardo and Boyd, 1999), Subjective Happiness Scale (Lyubomirsky and Lepper, 1999) and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (Brown and Ryan, 2003). The most prevalent TP profile was moderate to high scores on all five TPs of the ZTPI. BTP participants were significantly happier and more mindful. Happiness and mindfulness were positively correlated but a future TP did not correlate with subjective happiness.

It appears that the predominant researchers in the TP field are Zimbardo and colleagues. Below are the gems I pulled from the introduction:

TP is define by "the manner in which individuals, and cultures, partition the flow of human experience into distinct temporal categories of past, present and future." Past, present and future temporal frames can be measured and subdivided into five categories These are:

• Past Negative (PN) - a pessimistic attitude towards the past and possibly the experience of traumaticlife events.
• Past Positive (PP) - a more sentimental and positive view of one’s past.
• Present Hedonistic (PH) - associated with the desire for spontaneous pleasure with slight regard to risk or concern for future consequences.
• Present Fatalistic (PF) - defined as a lack of hope for the future and belief that uncontrollable forces determine one’s fate.
• Future (F) - characterized by reward dependence that occurs as a result of achieving specific long-term goals.

The literature review suggests that certain TP's are associated with more negative life outcomes and feelings while others are more associated with more positive outcomes (you can read the entire literature review yourself for specifics).

According to researchers, the healthiest goal is to strive to achieve a "Balanced Time Perspective" (BTP) that is characterized, statistically, as moderate to high scores for the PP, PH, and F factors and relatively low scores for the PN and PF factors. This would translate into a person who has the ability to hold past present and future time perspectives concurrently (keeping the positive past, present fun stuff, and goal-oriented future collectively in one's day-to-day thinking) and to be able to move between each perspective to adopt the one that is most appropriate to the current situation.

According to Zimbardo et al., having a balanced time perspective (BTP) is central to function at the top of ones game in day to day living. "By that they mean that the individual will reap psychological benefits if they are able to ‘work hard when there is a mission to be accomplished, but play hard when the work is done’ "

Interesting and thought provking concepts. I'd like to find a copy of the survey and measure and categorize my time perspective.


Technorati Tags: psychology, educational psychology, school psychology, neuropsychology, clinical psychology, happiness, mindfullness, time perspective, time perception, brain clock, IQ Brain Clock

Brain Clock Research Bytes # 1: Parkinsons, schizophrenia, and temporal pattern recognition

I found time to quickly skim a number of interesting journal articles this afternoon. Check out the following research bytes:

• Wong et al. (2008), in the Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology, present an interesting sequential model of human temporal pattern recognition.

• Yet another study (Jones et al., in press, Brain and Cognition) linking the brain clock to Parkinson's with the usual cast of neuroscience characters implicated (basal ganglia; dopamine). A snipet from the authors conclusions "the data suggest that the integrity of the basal ganglia is necessary for ‘typical’ time production in the seconds range as well as for time reproduction at shorter intervals"

• In a prior post I reviewed one of the key brain clock research articles (see right side of this blog) by Buhusi and Meck 2006), where they implicated the brain clock in a variety of mental disorders, including schizophrenia. I just skimmed another article "in press" in Brain and Cognition (see link above in prior bulleted byte), this type by Carroll et al., that suggests a deficit in auditory temporal processing precision in schizophrenics.

Technorati Tags: psychology, educational psychology, school psychology, clinicial psychology, neuropsychology, neuroscience, brain clock, IQ Brain Clock, Parkinsons, schizophrenia, dopamine, basal ganglia, temporal processing

Excercise and brain health

The best blog on brain fitness (SharpBrains) has a post today on
physical excercise and brain fitness. Click link below.

http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/06/26/physical-exercise-and-brain-health/

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Lower IQ linked to later dementia

PsychCentral has a news report of a new study linking IQ level and
education and dementia in adulthood.

http://psychcentral.com/news/2008/06/26/iq-linked-to-later-life-dementia/2510.html

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FMRI taking stock article

No doubt that fMRI research has become a very sexy topic these days,
especially in the popular press. Mind Hacks has a very good post on
the limits of this brain technology and questions that are being
asked. Click link and think.

http://www.mindhacks.com/blog/2008/06/the_fmri_smackdown_c.html

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US troops to receive cognitive screening

A good idea although a bit late for many of our troops.

http://www.psycport.com/showArticle.cfm?xmlFile=knightridder%5F2008%5F06%5F25%5F%5F0000%2D3651%2DHC%2DU%2DS%2DTroops%2DTo%2DGet%2DCognitive%2DScreening%2D0625%2Exml&provider=The%20Hartford%20Courant%2C%20Connecticut

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Encephalon 48 available

http://www.mindhacks.com/blog/2008/06/encephalon_48_makes_.html

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More on brain fitness field

Another news report on the buzz in the field of brain fitness. Check
link below.

http://www.openeducation.net/2008/06/15/experts-state-brain-exercise-as-important-as-physical-activity/

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God and IQ

Richard Lynn is again publishing controversial research on the
relations between intelligence and other variables--this time belief
in God. I'll wait to read the published article. His conclusion--
those with higher intelligence believe less in God. This is sure to
be "hot" in the popular press. Lynn is a highly respected scholar on
human intelligence. See news report at link.

http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=402381

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Senior moments

NPR recently had a story and broadcast on "senior moments. " check
out via link.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18953734

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Announcement of ADDA Conference

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Begin forwarded message:

The 2008 National Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) Conference this July 10-13 in Minneapolis

                                   "Adult AD/HD: People, Purpose & Passion – Pathways for Success"

The conference features some of the biggest names in AD/HD, including keynote presentations by:

Sari Solden , MS, LMFT, on " A 'Whole' New View of Success – Aiming for Wholeness Instead of Perfection"

Ned Hallowell , MD, on "Finding the Buried Treasure in ADD"

John Ratey , MD, on "The Spark for Success"

  Other topics include:

  ·         Medical Management and Treatment

·         Science and Research

·         College Challenges and Success

·         Workplace and Career Issues

·         Life Skills

·         ADHD and Addictions

·         Family and Relationship Issues

·         Non-AD/HD Spouses

·         Time Management and Organization

·         Women's and Men's Issues

·         Coaching       ………and much, much more!      Check it out on www.add.org    

  CEU's are available!

Please contact Beverly Rohman with questions:

Beverly H. Rohman
ADDA Board member and Conference Co-Chair
Learning Consultant & Senior Certified ADHD Coach
The Learning Connections, LLC
Easton , MD 21601
Phone: 410-763-7097

E-mail: Beverly@thelearningconnections.net

Synch your daily tasks to your brain clock

Interesting article on optimal times of the day to do different tasks.


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More on brain fitness revolution

Another news article on the increasing brain fitness movement.

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SharpBrains Update: Emerging Tools, Not Magic Pills

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From: SharpBrains

June 2008 #1

SharpBrains Brain Fitness Newsletter Dear Friend Brain Fitness Webinar Series: Our first Brain Fitness Webinar Series was a success with several hundred participants and great feedback. If you could not participate, you can still review the presentation slides by clicking Here. A key message from the series: it is exciting that our brains remain more flexible, at all ages, than was once thought possible. The implications? Every single owner of a brain can benefit from learning more about how to maintain the "It" in "Use It or Lose It." And which tools, if any, can be helpful. But, remember, there are no magic pills for cognitive health and performance. Market News National Neurotechnology Initiative: Neurotech leaders ask for help to support a pending bill on funding for applications of brain research. Lumos Labs raises $3 m in venture capital: This website provides a stimulating user experience at a reasonable cost. However, there is no clinical validation showing the efficacy of their specific brain training program. If you are in the market for programs than make brain-related claims, please check out our 10-Question Evaluation Checklist. Click Here. Report for Brain Fitness Centers: We are happy to see more organizations, from retirement communities to health systems, benefit from our market report to navigate the brain fitness field and make better informed decisions. Research Executive Functions, Education and Alzheimer's Disease: What we find exciting is the growing amount of research showing how specific cognitive skills (attention, memory, etc....) can be improved. An important reason why the search for a "magic pill" will prove elusive is because there is a variety of brain structures and functions to care care of, not just one. An area that deserves more attention: our frontal lobes and so-called executive functions. Promising Cognitive Training Studies for ADHD: Dr. David Rabiner reports the results from two recent scientific studies highlighting that "cognitive training interventions may provide an important complement to traditional medication treatment and behavior therapy" to help children with attention deficits. Education Cognitive and Emotional Development Through Play: Enough about "exercise" and "training". Dr. David Elkind, author of The Power of Play: Learning That Comes Naturally, discusses the need to build a more "playful culture." Health and Wellness Physical or Mental Exercise for Brain Health?: Both are important. Advice for a couch potato: Be Active. For a teenager: Don't Drop Out of School, Go To College. For a middle age person: Make Sure you Have a Stimulating Job. For a retired person: Find and Try to Master A New Hobby Every Few Years. Professional Development Your Trading Brain: Expert or Novice: Information is power, yet, how often do we ask ourselves, "how does my brain work?". Trader and neuropsychologist Dr. Janice Dorn provides an in-depth discussion to help traders make better decisions and be more successful. Brain Teasers Brain Games: Spot the Difference. You can exercise your brain without spending a dime. In fact, you may well already be. We hope you enjoy this newsletter. Please stay tuned for the next one at the end of June. It will include a fascinating interview with Dr. Arthur Kramer on the cognitive benefits of physical exercise and his cutting-edge cognitive training work with the Navy and air controllers. Have a stimulating week! The SharpBrains Team email: afernandez@sharpbrains.com phone: (415) 318.3467 web: http://www.sharpbrains.com

Executive function training - does it transfer?

My recent FYI post regarding reported transfer effects (to Gf) from working memory training tasks generated a number of posted comments (go to link and see original post plus comments). Today Developing Intelligence has a nice critique of another study dealing with potential transfer (or lack thereof) from training on an executive function "updating" task and possible neurological changes based on neuroimaging data.

Technorati Tags: psychology, educational psychology, school psychology, neuropsychology, neuroscience, executive function, working memory, fMRI

Schizophrenai and brain development video

Thanks to Deric Bownd's Mindblog for the FYI tip regarding an on-line instructional video demonstrating the differences between the brains of normal children and children with schizophrenia.

Technorati Tags: psychology, educational psychology, school psychology, intelligence, schizophrenia, instruction, neuropsychology, neuroscience

115 year old healthy brain

Just because a person gets old it doesn't mean your brain
deteriorates. Interesting story about the brain of the 115 year old
Dutch women who recently passed away. I'm not sure I want to use here
"secret"