Brain Blast | Preserving Memory with Meditation
The latest news on the brain and beyond.
The holiday season can be one of the best and busiest times of the year! As our small gift to you, we've summarized the latest news in the fields of neuroscience, technology, and psychology. We hope this will help you stay in-the-know and give you more time to spend celebrating the season.
Balancing the scales: Measuring pain with EEG
Scientists are developing an EEG-based system that would provide an objective way for doctors to assess patients’ pain levels. By offering tangible evidence of pain via brain activity, this system may prevent doctors from over-prescribing pain medication, while also enabling better diagnosis of complex conditions like Fibromyalgia.
Story via Brown University
A higher purpose: Reprogramming brain cells
Using animal test subjects, a German research team has begun “reprogramming” more common brain cells into neurons to replace those damaged by trauma. Researchers believe that, if successful, cell “reprogramming” could be used to help stroke victims regain compromised movement and speech abilities.
Story via Science Mag
Meditation and memory: Slowing cellular aging
In a recent study, researchers found that older adults who regularly meditated experienced a slowing in cellular aging and improvements in cognitive function, mood, sleep, and more. Explore the implications that this may have in the way that Alzheimer’s is managed.
Story via Neuroscience News
Mind control: Building a brain-powered television
Samsung is combining EEG technology with artificial intelligence to make a brain-controlled television that is accessible for individuals with physical disabilities. The prototype reads the user’s brainwaves and eye movements to determine what the person wants to watch and to select that program.
Story via Hubspot
The sleeping solution: Treating anxiety with rest
Even mild sleep deprivation can result in overactivity in the emotion-producing areas of the brain and underactivity in the emotion-regulating parts of the brain, resulting in feelings of anxiety. Learn how researchers are considering “sleep therapy” as a tool for treating anxiety.
Story via Forbes
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