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Maximizing
Brain
Performance
Shelia R. Cassidy, Psy.D.
Denise Compton, Ph.D.
UAMS Reynolds Institute on Aging
Asst. Professors
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DISCLOSURE
We have no fiscal or otherwise relationships with any products mentioned in this presentation. All graphics were derived from various websites on the internet and are being used solely for educational purposes. We have no financial gain from use of these graphics and no plan to publish these graphics.
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Goal Today
IDENTIFY
MENTAL
EMOTIONAL
BEHAVIORAL
STRATEGIES TO MAXIMIZE DAILY
BRAIN PERFORMANCE
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OBJECTIVES TODAY
DR. CASSIDY
Overview of Brain & Cognition
3 Strategies to promote
optimal memory and
other thinking skills
DR. COMPTON
Impact of mood,
emotions, & stress
on memory &
concentration
3 Strategies for
maintaining a
positive mood and
minimizing stress.
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BRAIN POWER
Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor
Indiana State University
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Brain’s Gray Matter & White Matter
Gray Matter =
Cortical Brain Layer White Matter =
Subcortical Brain Layer
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BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
Starts from Conception
Growth
Discovery
Maturation
Atrophy
Slowing in Thinking
Healthy Brain Wisdom
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NEUROPLASTICITY
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SO – WHAT IS COGNITION?
Mental Processes involving:
Being aware (attention)
Perceiving (sensation)
Thinking
Learning
Remembering
Knowing
Reasoning & Judging
Communicating
Coordination of Movement
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COGNITIVE DOMAINS
Sensory Input
Attention, Concentration, Memory
Concept Formation
Reasoning
Logical Analysis
Language Skills Visuospatial Skills
Behavior
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3 Strategies to Maximize
Cognitive Brain Performance
1. Weight Management & Brain Nutrition
2. Physical & Cognitive Stimulation
3. Organization & Use of External Tools
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OBJECTIVE 1
Weight Management & Brain Nutrition
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Weight Management &
Healthy Brain Nutrition
Healthy brain > 60% fat (30% is DHA)
Your are & will become what & how much you eat
Too much fat & too much sugar are detrimental to brain health
Important to know how much and what foods & nutrient nourish our brains
Obesity Cognitive decline
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Weight Management
Determine your current Body Mass Index
Underweight = <18.5
Normal weight = 18.5–24.9
Overweight = 25–29.9
Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater
Consult your physician regarding any weight loss plan – medications may need adjustment
Learn & Practice Behavior Modification
Establish a support network
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BRAIN FOODS
Oily Fish/Omega 3 –Anchovies, Salmon, Sardines, Tuna
Seeds/Nuts – Walnuts, Flax Seeds, Black Sesame Seeds
Deep Green & Colorful Vegetables/Fruits – Spinach, Kale, Collards, Watercress, Onions, Avocado, Red Peppers, Green Peppers, Eggplant, Tomato, Blueberries, Acai, Plums, Pomegranates, Grapes
Beans – Red beans, Black Beans
Spices/Oils – Ginger, Rosemary, Tumeric, Curry, Olive oil, Garlic
Eggs
Whole Grains/Wheat Germ
Beverages – Green Tea, Black Tea, Coffee, Red Wine (in moderation)
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BRAIN SUPPLEMENTS
Exercise Caution towards Advertising Claims
Not FDA Regulated – May include harmful compounds or interact with prescription medications
Consult with your Physician regarding whether supplements are ok with medications
Omega 3, Omega 6, EPA and DHA, vitamins B6 and B12, vitamin D, and folic acid
Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Ginkgo Biloba Extract, Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA), Huperzine A, N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC), Phosphatidyl Serine, Vinpocetine, Piracetam, Oxiracetam, Aniracetam, Pyritinol, Idebenone
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OBJECTIVE 2
Physical & Cognitive Stimulation
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EXERCISE MAXIMIZES BRAIN HEALTH
THROUGHOUT THE LIFE SPAN
Increases production of neurotransmitters & hormones that promote brain cell repair
Promotes growth of new nerve cell connections
Increases blood flow & oxygen to areas of brain involving memory
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BRAIN AEROBICS
Lengthen Attention Span
Improve ability to Multitask
Improve Memory
Improve Decision-making
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Enjoy Physical Activity
Consult your physician for exercise recommendations
Exercise Daily if Possible (Prioritize & Schedule your exercise time)
Start slow and gradually increase time and briskness of exercise
AMA recommends 150 minutes of moderate level activity per week
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Cognitive Training: What is it?
Learning Attention and Memory Strategies
Practice of Strategies and Rehearsal of Information
Feedback from Others and from Environment on our effectiveness
Adjusting these thinking strategies to new situations - Novelty
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DOES COGNITIVE TRAINING WORK?
Mixed results in Research Literature
Initially problems with studies using too small of a sample size to evaluate statistical significance
Early research also used diverse outcome measures decreasing ability to compare results
More recently – multi-site studies increased # of subjects with consistent outcome measures
Still working on issue of generalizability to daily function
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Advanced Cognitive Training for
Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE)
2802 Adults age 65 & up
3 Cognitive Training Programs – 10
sessions & 4 booster sessions @ 11 &
35 months
EPISODIC VERBAL MEMORY (26%)
INDUCTIVE REASONING (74%)
VISUAL SEARCH & IDENTIFICATION
PROCESSING SPEED (87%)
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Advanced Cognitive Training for
Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE)
For Reasoning and Speed training, better performance on targeted cognitive ability, durable through 5 years.
For Speed training, better performance on Everyday Speed of Processing at 5 years.
Maintain driving (controls drive less)
Maintenance of driving space
No increase in driving difficulty relative to controls
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IMPACT PROGRAM FOR OLDER
COMMUNITY DWELLING ADULTS
(2009) Smith et al Journal American Geriatric Society
Improvement in Memory with Plasticity-based Adaptive Cognitive Training
A cognitive training program “Brain Fitness Program”, Posit Science, San Francisco, CA)
487 Adults ages 65 & up (Avg age of 75) with normal cognition were randomly assigned to control or experimental groups.
Six computerized exercises (15 min duration per session) designed to improve the speed and accuracy of auditory information processing.
Training was 1 hour per day, 5 days per week, for 8 weeks, for a total of 40 hours Adherence was measured via internet
Outcome measure were Neuropsychological tests used in clinical assessment
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Attention & Processing Speed
Research shows our cognitive exercises
improve specific abilities related to attention.
Focusing on important tasks throughout your day
Avoiding distractions
Productivity at work or at home
Concentrating on new challenges
Accuracy in sports like golf or tennis
Driving safely and Peripheral vision
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Information Processing Speed
Speed includes a variety of cognitive
skills that well-designed brain training
can enhance.
Reaction times
Decision-making in time-sensitive
situations
Adapting to changing environments
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MEMORY TEST
I am going to read a list of words to you.
Listen carefully because when I have
finished reading the list I would like you
to write down as many words as you
recall.
Please do not write down words during
my reading of the list.
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MEMORY TEST
How many words did you recall?
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10 Memory Improvement Tips
1. Consciously focus your attention on the information you are learning.
2. Avoid cramming learning into one session – plan time for repeated study.
3. Structure and organize the information you want to learn.
4. Utilize mnemonic devices to remember information, such as SIGECAPS.
5. Elaborate and rehearse the information you are learning.
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10 Memory Improvement Tips
6. Relate and link new information to things
you already know.
7. Visualize concepts to improve memory and
recall.
8. Use multiple sensory processes when
learning new information.
9. Teach new concepts to another person.
10. Vary your study routine.
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Daily Memory Training
Each of the following skills involves the use of memory. Which strategies would you use to increase your effectiveness for the following tasks?
Remembering names after the first introduction
Navigating a new city using mental directions
Learning new subjects quickly and accurately
Recalling the location of objects
Calculating figures in your head
Remembering visual patterns
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Cognitive Stimulation
Keep learning new things
Crossword Puzzles
Word Searches/Scrabble
Jigsaw Puzzles
Music
Art, Crafts
Brain Teasers
Computer Games
Tasks that require speed
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OBJECTIVE 3
Organization & Use of External Tools
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Organization & External Tools
1. Simplify your home & work environment
2. Get rid of clutter
3. Designate 1 place for items easily misplaced
4. Organize Bills & Medical Records in Files
5. Use a day planner or I-Pad to keep activities, ideas, communications in 1 structured place
6. Use alarms, pill organizers, white boards for reminders
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3 Strategies to Maximize
Cognitive Brain Performance
1. Weight Management & Brain Nutrition
2. Physical & Cognitive Stimulation
3. Organization & Use of External Tools
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You Choose Your Future Quality
of Life Brain & Body Maintenance
Optimal Attention Improved math,
reading, & memory performance
Optimal Working Memory Ability to
effectively mentally manipulate
information
Optimal Memory Necessary for all
cognitive domains
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Cognitive Performance Software
Posit Science “DriveSharp” Brain Fitness
Software
Posit Science Brain Fitness Software
Nintendo Brain Age 1 & 2
Big Brain Academy
Brain Boost
Brain Challenge
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Brain Fitness Websites
http://www.sharpbrains.com/
http://www.positscience.com/
http://www.happy-neuron.com/
http://www.cognifit.com/
http://www.lumosity.com/
www.fitbrains.com/
http://www.mindsparke.com/
http://www.biof.com/onlinestore/brainbuilder.asp?redirect=yes
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STRETCH
BREAK
UP NEXT
DR. DENISE COMPTON
Impact of mood, emotions, & stress
on memory & concentration