On cognitive training, muscle mass, neurostimulation, brain teasers, apps, and more

Welcome to a new edition of SharpBrains’ e‑newsletter, featuring timely brain & innovation news and a few fun teasers to test your working memory. #1. Study: Building muscle mass helps delay cognitive decline beyond the value of exercise itself “Teasing out exactly how muscle helps the brain remains a challenge. There are plenty of indirect links … But Dr. Chevalier’s results suggest there may be more direct mechanisms too. One possibility is the role of myokines, a set of hormone-like molecules produced by muscle cells that can travel to the brain and influence mood, learning and other cognitive functions. Greater muscle mass may also help keep blood glucose levels in check, protecting the brain from damage.” #2. Clinicians and academics should engage users when reviewing apps, study finds “More than half of the app ratings showed disagreement between participants and professionals … Participants particularly valued certain aspects of mental health apps, which appear to be overlooked by professional reviewers. These included functions such as the ability to track and measure mental health and providing general mental health education. The cost of apps was among the most important factors for participants.” #3. Combined tDCS neurostimulation and cognitive training found to improve working memory among older adults–especially those with lower starting capacity “… individual characteristics influenced the outcome of combined cognitive training and tD...
Source: SharpBrains - Category: Neuroscience Authors: Tags: Brain Teasers Brain/ Mental Health SharpBrains Monthly eNewsletter Technology & Innovation app ratings brain vitals cognitive decline cognitive profiles Cognitive-functions Cognitive-Training DANA brain vital digital mental health Source Type: blogs