Introduction

"Experts agree that spending 10-15 minutes a day doing simple, structured mental exercises can improve memory and concentration allowing us to perform better at everyday tasks. Research has also shown that these types of exercises may actually keep brain cells healthy and less prone to disease and damage and slow down, or even reverse brain decline as we age,” says Dr Penny Adams (one of Australia’s foremost General Practitioners).

In addition to the possible benefits of brain training to reduce the risk of memory loss and increase concentration for the elderly, Dr Penny Adams believes that “you are never too young or too old to learn.” Brain training may benefit everyone from fifth graders to grandparents by enhancing memory and attention.  The Brain Trainer program also provides a fun method for adults to become more technologically aware and provides an entertaining interactive tool for all members of the family to connect with each other.

The main mental or cognitive functions of the brain are attention, memory, language, visual and spatial skills and reasoning.  In everyday life the brain combines a number of these functions simultaneously.   For example, when speaking to someone you need
- memory (for the relevant information being discussed)
- language (to organize speech coherently)
- attention or focus (to follow speech and the point of the discussion)

Many studies from around the world show convincing evidence that brain training can improve memory and learning capacity, improve concentration and awareness and speed up your brain's processing powers to make better and faster decisions. Reading, doing crosswords, brain teasers, learning a foreign language and other stimulating mental activities are all believed to be very helpful in enhancing your general mental sharpness and mental well being.

Articles & Research*

Listed below you will find just a few of the many research projects and articles available on the internet relating to the possible benefits of brain training in enhancing your mental well being:

Strain your brain and stay sharp, study shows
Researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) have found those who don't engage in complex mental activity during their lifetime have twice the shrinkage in a key part of the brain once they hit old age.
To read more about this study in this July 2008 article in the Sydney Morning Herald by Leesha McKenny
Click Here

Use your brain, halve your risk of dementia (WINNER of the Australian Museum EUREKA Prize 2006 for Medical Research) 
24 August 2006 - Dr Michael Valenzuela’s landmark research at the University of New South Wales provides the most convincing evidence to date that complex mental activity across people’s lives almost halves the incidence of dementia. 
Click Here

15 minutes a day of Brain Training helps improve concentration
Playing a daily computer game has helped a class of primary school children in Scotland improve their maths and concentration, a study says. 
To read more about this study in this October 2007 BBC news article
Click Here

SharpBrains.com
This new site, launched in 2007, provides extensive science-based information and guidance for Brain Health and Fitness.  
For links to relevant research, articles and resources
Click Here

Seniors use video games as brain exercises
Based on growing scientific evidence, certain types of game-playing is increasingly being viewed as callisthenics for the brain that can be especially useful for seniors at risk of memory loss, dementia and various vision problems.
To read more in this October 2007 AAP article
Click Here

Mental Gymnastics that could help you fight Alzheimer’s
Neuroscientist Baroness Greenfield, director of the Royal Institution in the UK, is backing the use of computer brain games to tackle mental decline.  She says that with no cure for Alzheimer's in sight, such pastimes are an ideal way to stave off dementia by keeping the mind alert.
To read more in this August 2007 Daily Mail article in the UK
Click Here

VITAL SIGNS Beating forgetfulness and boosting the brain
What to know about and do about mid-life attention, memory problems.
To read more of this July 2007 article in MarketWatch by Kristen Gerencher
Click Here

Alzheimer’s Australia
Mind Your Mind.
What you can do to reduce your risk of Dementia
Click Here

7  ways to make your brain better, smarter and faster!
To read more of this August 2006 article in Readers Digest by William Speed Weed
Click Here

Increase the fitness of your brain and memorise for the long-term
This article by Rebecca Armstrong looks at: What is Brain Training?  How does it work?  How do you train your brain?   It recently featured in Australia’s Sun Herald Sunday Life magazine in August 2006.
Click here

Two weeks of lifestyle changes improve cognitive function – including memory exercises
Study published in the June 2006 issue of American Journal Geriatric Psychiatry.
Find out more in this article by Caroline Cassels of Medscape Medical News (log-in for free access to article 541537).
Click Here

There's increasing evidence that Alzheimer's disease can be prevented - at least, the risk of it lowered. 
People who keep mentally active - read, do crosswords, play board games, go to the theatre and so on - also have a lower risk of Alzheimer's. 
Find out more in this ABC Health Matters article by Peter Lavelle in June 2006. 
Click Here

Aiding the Ageing Brain
The next big trend in medicine may be a computer-based-training program that improves auditory memory and other functions. 
Researchers at Stanford University, the University of California and Posit Science are determining whether their program might help people with early stages of Alzheimer's disease.  Read more in this Australian IT news article by Barbara Gengler in March 2006.
Click Here

Lifestyle Factors and the Risk of Dementia: Longitudinal Study of the Elderly in Dubbo.  (The Medical Journal of Australia)
January 2006 article about this study published online at ABC’s Health Matters: The Pulse by Peter Lavelle.
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A person’s level of education and ongoing brain stimulation can help protect against Alzheimer’s disease.
Read more about this research in the ABC Radio National Health Report transcript online with Dr Norman Swan and Professor Michael Shelanski, Columbia University New York.
Click here

Research Reports – Effects of Mental Exercise on Cognitive Function
Cognitive decline is less in those who engage more frequently in cognitively stimulating activities.  This website features a number of articles and research on mental exercises and lifestyle that can improve brain function.  For example, reduce those tip-of-the-tongue experiences where particular words cannot be recalled, actor’s memory tricks help students and older adults improve memory, “call in the reserves” of mental prowess, sleep improves the brain’s ability to remember information.
Click Here

Research Reports – Training in Cognitive Strategies
Memory Training can significantly improve memory performance.  This website features a number of articles on training and using memory strategies to improve performance in older adults.
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How to keep your mind sharp:  Preventative action
Follow these tips now to prevent memory loss later.  To find out more read this article from the Mayo clinic in the US.
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Keeping ageing brains on top form
Studies have shown mental decline is not inevitable and there are plenty of activities people can do to keep it together “up top”.  “Use it or lose it”.  Continued learning and mental stimulation can “literally grow the brain” says Professor Robertson from Trinity College of Neuroscience in the UK. 
Read more in this BBC News article by Olivia Johnson.
Click Here

*We are not qualified to offer medical advice. This section contains information we have collected from several sources. For authoritative information, please consult your doctor. The exercises in Mindscape’s Brain Trainer software have been designed for recreational purposes.  No medical claims are made for these exercises, express or implied. This site contains links to other sites. All internet linked sites included in this section were active at the time of release.  Mindscape Asia Pacific Pty Ltd is not responsible for the content of external sites.