Dear Voornaam,

Here at our headquarters in San Francisco, we are enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday. When I think about my work here, there is a lot to be thankful for – amazing co-workers, a global group of brilliant scientific contributors, and of course, the BrainHQ users we serve.  Thank you!

Tomorrow (“Black Friday”), marks the beginning of traditional holiday shopping season in these parts. As an added thank you during holiday shopping, if you buy BrainHQ as a gift for someone (or as a gift for yourself), we’ll provide a free electronic version of Soft-Wired: How the New Science of Brain Plasticity Can Change Your Life by my esteemed co-founder, Dr. Michael Merzenich.

Oh, yes, that reminds me, I am very thankful for Dr. Mike!  Happy holidays!

Jeff Zimman, Co-founder
Posit Science

Each brain has a unique "fingerprint" 
A group of scientists from several different institutions have come together to develop a non-invasive method of "fingerprinting" the human brain—and using these unique brain patterns, called connectomes, to identify individuals. The researchers were surprised to find that even identical twins shared only a small percentage of connectivity patterns. Learn more.

Why your brain experiences "post-election slump" 
After a big election, do you feel down or depressed, regardless of how you feel about the outcome? Many people do—and now, scientists have an explanation. During an election, your brain circuits may become "hyperactivated" by constant news coverage, which causes a chemical crash once the votes are in. Find out why.

Some people with Alzheimer's retain their memories
In a stunning finding, researchers from Northwestern University have found that some people in their 90s have full-blown physical markers of Alzheimer's disease in the brain, yet their memories appear to remain unaffected. Studying this unique population may lead to a deeper understanding of the interplay between physical symptoms and cognitive symptoms in Alzheimer's. Learn more.

Post-menopausal brain benefits for women who have babies late in life
Recent research has found that women who have their last baby after age 35 appear to retain better cognitive abilities when measured post-menopause. The finding also applies to women who entered puberty before 13 or used hormonal contraceptives for more than 10 years. Find out why.

Heading a soccer ball just one time can cause brain damage
It may seem obvious that repeated hits to the head might cause brain damage, but researchers have found that even heading a soccer ball one time can initiate brain changes, as measured by both cognitive and physical tests. Learn more.

Can a common antibiotic help Alzheimer's-affected brain cells?
Scientists at the University of British Columbia are studying the effects of a common antibiotic, Ceftriaxone, on cell communication networks in the brains of rats with Alzheimer's disease. While the research is still very preliminary, the researchers are hopeful that this finding may unlock new pathways to target in treating the disease at early stages. Learn more.

What the F: What Swearing Reveals About Our Language, Our Brains, and Ourselves (2016)
by Benjamin Bergen

In What the F, cognitive scientist Benjamin K. Bergen delves into the history, cultural roles, and neuroscience of cursing. While not for everyone, this engaging (and sometimes funny) book reveals profanity to be more than just crude language; it is a unique and sometimes useful form of expression.