Dear Voornaam,

It seems like every month brings another conflicting headline: "Brain Training Delivers Breakthrough Benefits!" "Brain Training Doesn't Work!"

So, why can't experts agree?

In response to some recent headlines, our CEO, Dr. Henry Mahncke, untangles this mystery in a brilliant (and fun!) post you can read on the BrainHQ blog.

My take: New data from neuroscience is toppling century-old theories of cognitive psychology, which is difficult for experts invested in old paradigms, but great for the rest of us, who are living in a period of revolutionary advances.

Stay tuned for more breakthrough studies!
 

Jeff Zimman, Co-founder
Posit Science

Intestinal Cells Are First Line of Defense Against Parkinson's Disease 
It may sound strange, but a certain type of immune cell in the intestines may be protecting the brain's neurons from Parkinson's disease. These "watchdog cells" identify mitochondrial defects in nerve cells and help fix them. Learn more. 

The Longer the Yawn, the Bigger the Brain
Researchers from SUNY Oneonta recently found that the length of an animal's yawn is correlated with that animal's brain size. In other words, animals who have evolved large brains—like humans—tend to have long, epic yawns. Find out why. 

Teen Marijuana Users Risk Abnormal Brain Development 
Researchers are warning that pot use before the age of 17 may lead to abnormal brain development, an increased risk of developing mental illness, and lower IQ. A Canadian study has found that early marijuana use is correlated with "highly abnormal brain function" in memory, visuospatial processing, and more. Learn more.

Biological Clock Controls Aspects of Body Physiology
For the first time, scientists have found clear evidence that the brain's "biological clock," which is responsible for our sleep-wake cycles, can directly affect certain measures of body physiology. A team from McGill University has discovered that the biological clock stimulates a thirst response a couple of hours before bedtime, which is independent of the body's physiological water balance or hydration state. Find out why. 

Does Reading Fiction Improve Social Skills? 
A 2013 study found that reading literary fiction for 20 minutes per day appeared to improve social emotional skills in study participants, but researchers recently reported that they have been unable to replicate the original study's results. Learn more. 

Music and Dance Both Benefit the Brain, But in Very Different Ways
Practicing performing arts like music and dance has been found to strengthen brain connections and increase white matter. But a recent study from NeuroImage has shown that the areas affected by different types of arts vary significantly. The findings suggest that dance increases connectivity on a more global scale, while musicians' brains see increases in very specific areas and pathways. Find out why.

Book of the Month
Anxious: Using the Brain to Understand and Treat Fear and Anxiety (2016)
Joseph LeDoux

We truly are in an “age of anxiety.” In the United States alone, about 40 million people suffer from anxiety disorders. In Anxious, leading neuroscientist Joseph LeDoux takes a serious scientific look at anxiety and fear. He explains what gives rise to anxiety and what mechanisms in the brain express it, then goes on to discuss current and future treatments. Some lay readers may find the book too dense, but it’s a fantastic, in-depth discussion of this widespread condition. Buy it on Amazon.