Brain research took a quantum leap forward in the 1990’s when neuroscientists learned about the brain’s ability to change and birth new neurons at any age. Until then, scientists believed the brain was stagnant, that is, incapable of growth and change. With the discovery of the brain’s plasticity came a world of hope, and the conviction that the right type of mental workout can actually help anyone rev up their brain. That has since grown into an industry aimed at rewiring the brain to learn new skills and improve the underlying mental abilities we all use to reason, think, remember and pay attention.
Now research continues to support the discovery that the brain can change and improve at any age.
1. A 2008 Carnegie Mellon University brain imaging study found that the brains of dyslexic students and other poor readers were permanently rewired to overcome reading deficits after 100 hours of intensive remedial instruction. This supports the work that we do at LearningRx and the PERMANENT results we see.
Neuroscientist Marcel Just, the director for Carnegie Mellon’s Center for Cognitive Brain Imaging, was the senior author of the study. In an article in the August 7, 2008 issue of Science Daily he explained that focused instruction (such as cognitive skills training) can use the plasticity of the brain to gain educational improvement.
2. Several studies conducted at a Stockholm medical university, the Karolinksa Institute, showed that five weeks of working memory training reduced symptoms of hyperactivity and inattention in children. Working memory is the ability to hold onto information long enough to use it to accomplish a specific task; you keep it in mind while you need it, then forget it.
3. During the development of the LearningRx brain-training methodology, approximately 700 professionals in more than 350 training locations, clinics, schools, and hospitals used the training systems successfully. This resulted in documented skill and reading gains for more than 12,000 students.
Today, LearningRx offers the most effective cognitive training available (as measured by a variety of nationally recognized cognitive skills testing instruments such as WJCTB, DTLA, WRMT, SOI, GCTB, CAUSE, and LACT.) Results are predictable and consistent, enabling LearningRx Centers to guarantee improvement in deficient learning skills in less than 24 weeks.
4. A recently released study from a company that focuses on baby boomers shows memory improvements can come from computerized training programs. The study involved 182 healthy people 60 and over. Half did computerized brain exercises for one hour each day for eight weeks while the other half watched educational DVDs. Researchers found that 93% of the brain exercise group significantly improved their memory function, while the control group did not.
5. Between 1985 and 1995, the Institute of Health conducted the most massive study ever on reading problems. In 130 studies a single weak cognitive skill was identified as the cause of 88% of all learning to read problems. That skill is phonemic awareness – the ability to blend sounds together, unglue sounds in a word and manipulate sounds. Through cognitive skills training phonemic awareness can be trained and those reading struggles prevented or resolved.
6. A Florida State University study conducted in Tallahassee followed several kindergarten classes. For one semester, they gave them one-on-one training in sound blending and sound manipulating skills. Four years later, all fourth graders were tested. Of those who had NOT been given the one-to-one training – 32% were reading at least two years below grade level. Of those who were given the training, only 4% had reading levels that low. That’s an 87% reduction of reading problems or dyslexia with special one-on-one training.
Research and studies continue to prove that the brain is capable of growing and changing throughout life, and that this plasticity means instead of “growing old”, the brain can simply “grow” – if we continue to challenge it through training and exercise.
