Our friend Ben was recently alarmed to see an article on, I suspect, MSN (I’d assumed it was on RealAge, but was unable to track it) about how you could tell how old your brain was. I was alarmed because the article said that the way to tell how old your brain is (or was it how young your brain is?!) was to see how long you could stand unsupported on one foot.

Now, our friend Ben is one of the most uncoordinated humans God ever placed on earth. The reason I never tried out for “Jeopardy” was that I realized that, no matter how much I knew, I’d never have the coordination to hit the button faster than anyone else. And now they’re telling me that the ability to stand on one leg is the determinant of brain agility? Aaaarrrgghhh!!!!!

If memory serves, you were supposed to try for 45 seconds if you were in your 30s and 30 seconds if you were 40 or over. Of course, despite attempting to ignore the article, eventually our friend Ben succumbed to the challenge. I calculate from this attempt that my brain is roughly 3,500 years old, making me an archaeological treasure if nothing else.

Our friend Ben did have a takeaway from this: If this really is the determinant of brainpower, it’s certainly the best endorsement I’ve ever seen for yoga. As I understand it, yogi adepts could stand on one leg for their entire lives if they chose to do so.

More power to them! Myself, I think I have to go lie down on the sofa now. And Albert, we need to talk. The only thing I’ve ever read about your legs was that you couldn’t manage to wear two matching socks to save your life, not that you stood or hopped around on one leg to prove your brain’s agility. But maybe you were too busy thinking about relativity or the meaning of life or the origin of the universe or something. I’m counting on you to let me know. And while you’re at it, could you put in a good word for poor Pluto? Like my brainpower, it’s recently been officially downsized…

Today Jordon and I were in Future Shop and he mentioned to me that quite a few women he works with that he knows all are asking for Nintendo DS’s this Christmas or have recently bought them.

Jordon wasn’t sure why they all wanted one but when he asked me about it, I thought it would kind of fun.  Mark has one and he loves it and it would be fun to play against him.

Now Mark has most of the Mario games but what games am I going to want.  I like the Brain Age ones and I was surprised and pleased to see that you can get Age of Empires for the DS.  I am hoping that if I get Madden 10 for DS, I will have an idea of what is happening on television.

Any other “must have” games that I need if I get a DS?  What games to 40 something mothers like to play?

I decided to drop the PSP from this article because, frankly, I know nothing about it. For the record I’d be interested in WTF and the Metal Gear games on that system and that’s about it.

The Wii and DS operate in a completely different stratosphere when compared to the 360 and PS3. Yes, the PS3 price drop has helped a lot, especially in Japan, but Nintendo’s consoles just appeal to such a wide variety of gamers (young and old, casual and hardcore, male and female) that it’s tough to break down what really sells systems. But hey, I’ll give it a shot.

Nintendo Wii

System Seller: Wii anything
I was tempted to put the Wii itself as its own system seller, because that’s pretty much true. The Wii moves so many units because of all they hype generated around it. People gravitate to all the “Wii” games, Wii Fit sells a lot of systems, but many people are just content getting the Wii for Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort. Even Wii Play sells tons of units, although that isn’t really a system seller as much as it is something that people pick up when they get a Wii (for the extra controller or whatever). The Wii, unlike any other gaming system, sells to the average consumer with its accessibility, which is why it is destroying the competition.

Must Haves: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Metroid Prime: Trilogy, Super Mario Galaxy, Super Smash Brothers: Brawl, Wii Sports: Resort (or equivalent)
The sad thing about this list is that two of the games came out around launch (Trilogy is all the Metroid Prime games with the new Wii controls though, so I guess it’s technically new) and Galaxy came out like 2 years ago. For serious gamers, there’s not a lot to offer on the Wii, especially 3rd party content. That being said, Zelda and Mario, like all Nintendo first party games, are excellent, and Metroid Prime is one of my favorite video game series ever. Metroid also uses the controller very effectively and is the best first person experience I’ve had on the Wii. I threw Wii Sports: Resort on there because if you own a Wii it’s almost mandatory that you own a good party game, but really there are a lot of choices out there: Boom Blox is pretty fun - you could even get away with a game like Warioware: Smooth Moves, and of course almost everyone owns Mario Kart (just check the NPDs). Thankfully, Nintendo is releasing a couple of new Mario games this year and next, so hopefully there will be a reason for me to dust off my Wii soon.

Upcoming: New Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Galaxy 2, Wii Fit Plus

Nintendo DS

System Seller: Pokemon (kids), Brain Age (adults)
It’s no surprise that the average owner of a handheld console is much younger than the average owner of a home console. What better way to keep the kids occupied on long car trips than have them “catch them all”? I played Pokemon on the GBA, and it was a surprisingly deep game, and according to reviews the DS versions are still decent. Regardless, Pokemon probably sells the most DSes to kids, whereas older adults, including very old adults (like my parents) like the DS for games like Brain Age, simple brain exercises that people like to play to keep themselves young. If you’re old, you buy the DS, if you’re young, you buy the DS. No wonder it’s sold the most units in the current generation.

Must Haves: Square-Enix RPGs, Professor Layton series, Phoenix Wright series, Elite Beat Agents (Ouendan in Japan)
The crazy thing about the Nintendo DS is that there is something for everyone. For the most part, the “casual” stuff sells systems, and that’s what a lot of people focus on. But if you like old-school RPGs, there are the re-releases of Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy, for people who like puzzles, there is Professor Layton, Phoenix Wright tickles one’s adventure fancy, and Elite Beat Agents is for rhythm game fanatics. And if none of those genres floats your boat, there are legions of other game types out there (I’m sure I’ve forgotten a bunch of excellent games). As espion4ge has stated elsewhere, the DS really is one of the best values in gaming and a great investment for any gamer, especially if you’re on the go. If you spend time shopping with your wife (check), take public transportation (check), or like to play games before you drop off to sleep (now outlawed in my household), the DS is a great buy. Just do yourself a favor and go with the Lite over the DSi, so you’ll save yourself some money.

Upcoming: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, Ace Attorney: Miles Edgeworth

So that’s my take on the best games out there for the current systems. Of course, most of it is based around my preferences, so I’d love to hear what games you all love to play on your systems! Especially if it’s the PSP…haha.

Here you have the August edition of our monthly newsletter covering cognitive health and brain fitness topics. Please remember that you can subscribe to receive this Newsletter by email, using the box at the top of this page.

Scientific publication Frontiers in Neuroscience recently published a special issue on Augmenting Cognition, and invited me to contribute with an article titled Preparing Society for the Cognitive Age. Groundbreaking brain research has occurred over the last 20 years. The opportunity to improve brain health and performance is immense, but we need to ensure the marketplace matures in a rational and sustainable manner, both through healthcare and non-healthcare channels. Click Here to read my article.

Announcements

In May 2009 SharpBrains published The State of the Brain Fitness Software Market 2009, the main industry report for leading organizations preparing their members, their clients, and their patients for the cognitive age. 150-pages long, the report includes a market survey with 2,000+ respondents, detailed analysis of 20+ vendors, research briefs written by 12 leading scientists and data and trends for 4 major customer segments.

Below we share the full Executive Summary of the report and announce an exclusive webinar on September 29th to discuss the State of the Market in more depth with buyers of the report.

To order the report and access both the report and the webinar, you can click Here. (Only $975 -a 25% discount- using Discount Code Frontiers2009 before September 28th).

State of the Market

Advances in neuroscience and the interest of baby boomers in the concept and implications of neuroplasticity are driving popular interest and effort into retaining mental sharpness. This in turn has fueled the interest of healthcare and insurance providers to test and introduce brain fitness products. A variety of developments in 2008 underline the sector’s annual growth and plants seeds for significant future breakthroughs:

Innovation by pioneering institutions: We estimate that around 300 residential communities added computerized cognitive training programs in 2008, making for an estimated accumulated total of over 700. Insurance providers Allstate and OptumHealth launched major initiatives, while the USA Hockey League announced an upcoming hockey-specific brain fitness software package.
Research themes got reinforced:
1) Lifestyle, led by aerobic exercise, can improve cognition and reduce dementia risk,
2) Building the cognitive reserve through leading mentally stimulating lives provides neuroprotection to help stay sharper longer,
3) Specific cognitive abilities can be assessed and enhanced through the use of appropriate tools.

Funding events and acquisitions: A number of developers raised money during the year: Dakim ($10.6m), CogniFit ($5m), Lumos Labs ($3m), Scientific Brain Training ($1.5m), Vivity Labs ($1m). Scientific Learning bought Soliloquy and Posit Science bought Visual Awareness.

Public policy & public sector initiatives:
1) a new US Army policy required computerized cognitive screenings of all soldiers before deployment,
2) the Government of Ontario invested $10m in Baycrest to develop and commercialize brain fitness technologies.
3) The Mental Health Parity Act will take effect in January 2010,
4) a growing emphasis by Medicare to reduce hospital readmissions (which can be predicted by patient’s functional status, including cognitive functioning).

Market Survey

In January 2009 we conducted an online survey to understand emerging beliefs, attitudes and habits among decision-makers and early adopters. Highlights of the 2,000+ responses were:

61% of respondents Strongly Agree with the statement “Addressing cognitive and brain health should be a healthcare priority.” But, 65% Agree/Strongly Agree with “I don’t really know what to expect from products making brain claims.” In sum, interest and confusion.
The top three out of ten predictions (“Over the next 5 to 7 years we will see…”) with the highest percentage of respondents who Strongly Agree are: 1) “…a wide selection of computer-based programs, for different uses” (33%), 2) “…more locations and tools integrating physical and mental exercise” (27%), and 3) “…brain fitness becoming a mainstream topic, for most if not all ages” (27%).

Customer satisfaction among buyers (both of electronic products and puzzle books) was good overall but could be better. To the statement, “I got real value for my money,” the results were: 18% Strongly Agree, 35% Agree, 33% Neutral, 11% Disagree, 3% Strongly Disagree.

Top four products among buyers: 1) Posit Science, 2) Puzzle Books, 3) Nintendo Brain Age, 4) Lumosity.com. They seem to attract different demographic groups, and present different levels of customer satisfaction: Posit Science (53% Agree) and Lumosity.com (51%) do better than Puzzle Books (39%) and Nintendo (38%) at “I have seen the results I wanted.” Given very different price points, the rank changes with “I got real value for my money”: Lumosity.com (65% Agree), Puzzle Books (60%), Posit Science (52%), Nintendo (51%).

Competitive Landscape

In 2008 the competitive landscape started to become more clearly defined, with a number of players taking the lead in specific niches both on the assessment and training sides of the market.

Our Market and Research Momentum analysis resulted in the categorization of twenty-one companies into four groups to better predict long-term sustainability of company and approach.

- Leaders: Brain Resource, Cognitive Drug Research, Lumos Labs, Posit Science
- High Potentials: Applied Cognitive Engineering, Cogmed, CogniFit, Houghton Mifflin, NovaVision, Scientific Brain Training, Scientific Learning, TransAnalytics
- Crosswords 2.0: Dakim, Nintendo, Vivity Labs
- Wait & See: Advanced Brain Technologies, Brain Center America, CNS Vital Signs, CogState, Learning Enhancement Corporation, Vigorous Mind

Our product analysis shows that the products with higher levels of clinical validation are also the ones focused on more specific cognitive needs. It is important to evaluate the clinical validation per cognitive skill(s) targeted, together with other product attributes, to find a potential product to match specific needs. Not even the training products with relative higher levels of clinical validation, by Cogmed and NovaVision, should be seen as the best intervention for every single individual and purpose.

The Science

There is growing evidence that cognition is more malleable that once thought, and that lifestyle, non-invasive interventions, and invasive interventions all play a role in augmenting or maintaining cognitive abilities. With that context, technology-based assessments and training tools may be an important part of the overall mix.

Computerized programs have been found to be an efficient and scalable way to assess and train a range of specific cognitive skills. However, they have not been found to be “general solutions” that can address all cognitive priorities for everyone. Consumers and professionals need to make informed decisions about which, if any, tools may be worth trying without falling prey to manufacturers’ inflated claims or negating the value of those tools as a general principle.

We asked thirteen leading scientists to examine the state of the research, and emerging implications, in five areas:

The neuroprotective value of cognitive activity in general: this is well established through a variety of long-term epidemiological studies.

The importance of using cognitive assessments as predictors of driving safety: driving may well become one of the major areas where cognitive assessments and training can play a significant role in the next few years. Update: in July 2009, AAA announced a new initiative to deploy Posit Science’s DriveSharp to Assess and Train Older Driver’s Brains

The value of computerized cognitive training targeting working memory, auditory processing, visual processing: a growing amount of published evidence shows the clear benefits, and the limitations, from different training approaches.

The cognitive effects of action and strategy videogames: it is impossible to answer the question “are videogames good or bad” without clarifying a) which videogames, b) good or bad for what? Specific games are showing the kind of benefits that justify educational and health uses.

The need for objective markers: innovative approaches are trying to solve this major bottleneck.

Customer Segments

The demand for brain fitness software presents different dynamics in each of the four main customer segments:

Consumers: “Brain fitness” is quickly becoming a mainstream cultural phenomenon – with all of the opportunities and challenges that this development represents. On the one hand, it was time for adults of all ages to start paying more attention to the impact of lifestyle options on cognitive health, including the potential usefulness of new tools beyond crossword puzzles and Sudoku, driven by recent scientific findings such as adult neuroplasticity and the cognitive reserve. On the other hand, the overwhelming amount of superficial media coverage and aggressive claims is creating significant confusion among consumers, and skepticism among researchers and healthcare professionals.

Healthcare and Insurance Providers: A good number of innovators are actively testing and incorporating a variety of brain fitness tools, which over time should help better integrate cognitive health issues into mainstream healthcare. Seniors housing operators have quickly been adding cognitive training to their range of health and wellness activities. Insurance companies are running major initiatives aimed at driver safety and improving the accuracy of diagnostics. Drug companies are adding cognitive testing to their trials. Growing evidence is supporting the use of specific cognitive interventions in clinical conditions such as attention deficits and stroke/traumatic brain injury, among others.

K12 School Systems: Despite growing potential, there were few meaningful market developments in this segment in 2008. Revenues and the competitive landscape were basically stagnant. It is in the applied research area where we are starting to see seeds of potential future growth, given emerging evidence that cognitive training does not only contribute to cognitive development but, when directed appropriately, can also impact academic performance in subjects like math and reading.

Military, Sports Teams, Corporate: Three of the trends we identified last year, including baseline assessments, training to improve performance, and applications for the aging population, continued and grew significantly in 2008. First, the US Army introduced a new policy requiring mandatory computer-based cognitive baselines for soldiers before deployment, in order to better identify the extent of potential brain damage such as Traumatic Brain Injury. Second, the USA Hockey League partnered to develop a new cognitive simulation training to improve the performance of hockey players. Third, the Conference Board and the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives launched a booklet and website to raise awareness about cognitive fitness issues among large corporations.

Future Directions

Innovative partnerships will be required to transform the growing amount of mainstream interest and research findings into a rational, interdisciplinary, and sustainable approach to brain/ neurocognitive fitness. There are no “magic pills” or “general solutions” but there are useful tools when used appropriately. Better information, assessments, taxonomies and integrated research efforts are required for the field to mature. The priorities are not the same for all individuals, or for all objectives (such as safer driving, preventing Alzheimer’s symptoms, improving memory). The field holds much promise, but the picture is complex.

We continue to predict that between now and 2015 brain fitness will become a mainstream concept, consumers and professionals will be able to leverage better tools, and that a growing ecosystem will enable this opportunity.

The key question, of course, is how much value will computerized cognitive assessment and training tools deliver in the real world? The US brain fitness software market may grow to be between $1 billion to $5 billion by 2015. Whether the market reaches the high end of that range or stays closer to the lower end depends on how the whole field addresses the most important problems.

When asked “What is most important problem in the field?” respondents to our survey prioritized Public Awareness (39%), Navigating claims (21%), Research (15%), Healthcare Culture (14%), Lack of Assessment (6%), and Other (5%). We believe that in years to come we will see progress in all those areas, and a deeper understanding of “Who needs what when?”, the most important unanswered question so far.

The Webinar

On Tuesday September 29th, we will host a 90-minute webinar to review the findings of the report in more depth (60-minutes) and discuss our clients’ perspectives and questions (30-minutes).

Time: Tuesday September 29th, 9am Pacific Time/ noon Eastern Time.

To order the report and access report and webinar, click Here. (only $975 -a 25% discount- using Discount Code Frontiers2009 before September 28th).

To preview several pages of the report, click Here. To view an infographic, click Here.

If you are an existing client, we will contact you directly with Registration details.

Enjoy the rest of the summer!

Unwitting pawn or diabolical mastermind?

The first piece in the puzzle of Nintendo’s most recent bid for world domination was the Brain Training series on the DS. It seemed innocuous enough – players are asked to complete a series of puzzles, and the “age” of their brain is evaluated. A fantastic educational tool which encourages us to utilise more of our brains. Right?

Wrong. The true purpose of these games is to assign us our places in Nintendo’s New World Order. Think about it. The game evaluates your relative intelligence based upon the human brain’s optimum performance. Nintendo can then collect and collate this data, and assign you your role. Those with the “youngest” brains will enter the higher positions – ministers, bureaucrats, teachers, etc.; while those with the “oldest” brains will be consigned to the most menial jobs – manual labour, street cleaners, police officers, etc.

Of course, as of yet Nintendo has no way of collecting this data. But trust me, they’re working on it. You can already share your scores with friends and families who use the same DS. And with the console’s internet capabilities it is only a matter of time until you’ll be asked to send your results to Nintendo.

At first this will take the innocent form of leader boards, allowing players to see where they rank on a local, national, and even global basis. But this will give Nintendo access to this information. And when that happens, what you thought were just a few innocent puzzles will turn out to be your sentence to a lifetime of servitude.

But what will become of those of us who refuse to take part in this charade? When Nintendo finds they have no data on us, what then? Will we be forced to take part? Will our results be fabricated, and they assign us to the most degrading work they can? Or will it be the start of something altogether more sinister. Labour camps? Mass extermination? Or possibly (and this is the slimmest of hopes I can allow myself to contemplate) will it lead to the first germs of a resistance? Will we fall through the cracks, giving mankind it’s only chance at salvation?

Think about this: How can anyone take care of his or her brain when every week brings a new barrage of articles and studies which seem to contradict each other?

Do supplements improve memory? Do you need both physical and mental exercise –or is one of them enough? Which brain training approach, if any, is worth one’s time and money?

We tried to address these questions, and many others, in our recent book, The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness (182 pages, $24.95), that we presented at Games for Health Conference last week. The book is the result of over two years of extensive research including more than a hundred interviews with scientists, professionals and consumers, and a deep review of the scientific literature, led by neuropsychologist Elkhonon Goldberg and myself with the help of cognitive scientist Pascale Michelon. As we wrote in the Introduction, what we wanted to do first of all was to debunks these 10 myths on brain health and brain training:

Myth 1. Genes determine the fate of our brains.
Facts: Lifelong neuroplasticity allows our lifestyles and actions to play a meaningful role in how our brains physically evolve, especially given longer life expectancy.

Myth 2. Aging means automatic decline.
Facts: There is nothing inherently fixed in the precise trajectory of how brain functions evolve as we age.

Myth 3. Medication is the main hope for cognitive enhancement.
Facts: Non-invasive interventions can have comparable and more durable effects, side effect-free.

Myth 4. We will soon have a Magic Pill or General Solution to solve all our cognitive challenges.
Facts: A multi-pronged approach is recommended, centered around nutrition, stress management, and both physical and mental exercise.

Myth 5. There is only one “it” in “Use It or Lose it”.
Facts: The brain is composed of a number of specialized units. Our life and productivity depend on a variety of brain functions, not just one.

Myth 6. All brain activities or exercises are equal.
Facts: Varied and targeted exercises are the necessary ingredients in brain training so that a wide range of brain functions can be stimulated.

Myth 7. There is only one way to train your brain.
Facts: Brain functions can be impacted in a number of ways: through meditation, cognitive therapy, cognitive training.

Myth 8. We all have something called “Brain Age”.
Facts: Brain age is a fiction. No two individuals have the same brain or expression of brain functions.

Myth 9. That “brain age” can be reversed by 10, 20, 30 years.
Facts: Brain training can improve specific brain functions, but, with research available today, cannot be said to roll back one’s “brain age” by a number of years.

Myth 10. All human brains need the same brain training.
Facts: As in physical fitness, users must ask themselves: What functions do I need to improve on? In what timeframe? What is my budget?

Do you have other myths in mind you would like  us to address?

We have started to receive great feedback from the healthcare community, such as this email from a neurosurgeon in Texas:

“I really like the book, it is comprehensive without being too technical. I have recommended it to several patients. There are some other books that I expected would be greeted with enthusiasm, but were too complex for most of my patients. I think this book is right in the sweet spot”.

And this great book review by an Internist Physician and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Fellow, titled Is Your Brain A Couch Potato?:

“…a short, sweet, entertaining read of a complex topic, with timely (written in 1/09) reviews of 21 top technology products, as well as informed and expert predictions of where this burgeoning brain-fitness field is headed. More importantly, after you read it, you’ll have a good, detailed sense of where you, personally, can act to improve your own couch-potato brain – and how to keep it fit and flexible your whole life. The SharpBrains Guide To Brain Fitness reminds of us all why books (and not just googling a topic) can be well worth your time and money. Two Stethoscopes Up – check it out. life.”

—Doc Gurley, book review for SFGate.com (06/08/09)

The book:  The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness (available via Amazon.com Here, review copies available upon request).

Description: While most of us have heard the phrase “use it or lose it,” very few understand what “it” means, or how to properly “use it” in order to maintain brain function and fitness. The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness is an invaluable guide that helps readers navigate growing brain research and identify the lifestyle factors and products that contribute to brain health and fitness. By gathering insights from eighteen of the world’s top scientists and offering tools and detailed descriptions of over twenty products, this book is an essential guide to the field of brain fitness, neuroplasticity and cognitive health. An accessible and thought-provoking read, The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness educates lifelong learners and professionals in healthcare, education, business, etc., on emerging trends and forecasts of what the future will hold.

Products Reviewed (we reviewed scientific studies published before January 2009, when the manuscript text was closed):

- Overall brain maintenance: Brain Age series (Nintendo), BrainWare Safari (Learning Enhancement Corporation), FitBrains.com (Vivity Labs), Happy-Neuron.com (Scientific Brain Training), Lumosity.com (Lumos Labs), MindFit (CogniFit), (m)Power (Dakim)

- Targeted brain workout: Classic and InSight (Posit Science), Working Memory Training JM and RM (Cogmed), DriveFit (CogniFit), Earobics (Houghton Mifflin), Fast ForWord (Scientific Learning), IntelliGym (Applied Cognitive Engineering), Vision Restpration Therapy (NovaVision)

- Emotional self-regulation: emWave PC and Personal Stress Reliever (HeartMath), Journey to the Wild Divine (Wild Divine), RESPeRATE (InterCure), StressEraser (Helicor)

Moving is hard but it was all made better by my new toy, the Nintendo DSi. Nothing takes the stress of packing boxes away quite like a little video game action. Now, I was a little ambivalent about purchasing this item. I mean, I’m an adult… and it’s a Gameboy (I refuse to call it anything else. A Gameboy is a Gameboy!), but upon finding that I got a $70 dollar credit when I traded in my DS Lite, I figured, hey, why not?

The system is touted as having many advanced features from the older DS. A slightly larger screen and a lot of really great new abilities: downloading full games directly to the system, camera and photo editing, more memory, etc. Sure, these aren’t things I really needed (I only want to play games on my way to class!), but I’m a sucker for bells and whistles.

And let me tell you, I’m glad I bought it!

The system looks different from the former having a matte finish which keeps it from getting all smudged. Vain and silly I know but I HATED when I had fingerprints on my DS. It just looked messy. But that’s the least of its features.

So what other tasty things does it do?

Le’s start with the camera. The resolution isn’t bad. There’s no flash and it tends to get blurry when anyone moves (like the crappy iPhone camera), but it’s good for taking quick pictures of friends or funny things on the bus. You can also edit the photos that you take on the fly. Wanna add hearts to your boo? Done. Wanna give your BFF fish lips to show her what her obsession with plastic surgery will do to her? Done and done.
It also happens to be a main component of some new games. Brain Age Express: Math uses the camera for some of the features in the actual game.  How cool is that!?

There’s also a voice recorder that you can play around with. It doesn’t record much and you have to be rather close for it to be clear, but it’s good for a quick note to yourself. It’s also good to one-up your friends who have that old DS.

Much like the new iPod Touch, the DSi comes with internet capabilities. It can’t pick up on every wireless router, but it is pretty useful. Although the memory is small and can’t load every page you may want to use (probably to prevent porn surfin’) I was able to check my mail and update my Myspace. It’s browser is powered by Opera and is functional for small internet tasks.

It also has a download shop where you can directly download games to your DSi. The shop is pretty empty right now but I’m sure Nintendo will be adding things in the near future. I purchased Brain Age and have been having fun training my brain in minutes a day.

The only real downside to this puppy is that it only handles DS cards. For most people this is a non-issue, but if you’re really addicted to your old school NES games that were re-released in GBA format a few years ago, you are gonna be upset.

All in all, the DSi is a fun little toy.  And now I have to get back to Animal Crossing. Those weeds aren’t going to pull themselves.

I hadn’t even realized two more volumes of the lengthy Iwata Asks series of interviews about the Nintendo DSi were released until I read today’s Wii newsletter. But, here you go:

Vol. 5 – WarioWare: Don’t Touch?!

Vol. 6 – Brain Age Express

You chose — the top three online games at the Heart-to-Heart-Connection!

(3)  Experiencing writer’s block?  Don’t write.   Play Crashdown!  That’s what I’m going to do! Click groups of three or more same colored squares as fast as you can!  If you’re successful, the game gets harder (like Tetris).  Click here!

(2)  What’s your brain’s age?   Test your memory!  Test your reflex!  The game takes less than a minute! The “ideal brain age” is 20-years-old (not mine).  Read the rules then click Play! The original is in Japanese, so unless you read the language, follow below:

1. Click Start
2. Wait — 3,2,1
3. Memorize the numbers and their positions on the screen
4. Click each circle from the smallest to the largest number
5. At the end of the game, you’ll know your brain’s age!
6. Play here!

(1)  Bloxorz — What’s your spatial IQ?  Get the block to fall into the square hole (use arrow keys).  Thirty-three stages in all.  I’ve mastered stage 7.  How about you?

Ready, get set, PLAY!

Love to hear your favorite games!

*****

PS — Deliver popular games (and posts) to your friends’ inbox (with their permission, of course).  Subscribe to FeedBlitz!  Click!  Here’s how!

Não sou fã de post com números de vendas. São raras as vezes que algo assim aparece por aqui. Mas este em específico achei interessante. Hoje em dia é fácil um blockbuster conseguir atingir 1 milhões de cópias vendidas, já 10 milhões não são tão fáceis assim.

A Nintendo soltou uma nota na imprensa dizendo que 7 games de Nintendo DS já atingiram esta marca e que ainda tem 83 títulos acima de 1 milhão. Os poderosos que ultrapassaram 10 milhões de vendas são:

* New Super Mario Bros e Nintendogs (todas as versões juntas):

* Brain Age 1 e Brain Age 2 (cada um conseguiu 10 milhões):

* Pokemon Diamond/Pearl (a soma de ambas as versões):

* Mario kart DS e Animal Crossing: Wild World:

Todos aí, com exceção de Brain Age, eu joguei! \o/

Me admira muito New Super Mario Bros ultrapassar a marca de 10 milhões e até agora a Nintendo não ter feito uma continuação…

It's me! Mario! Ryuta!

Los que hemos jugado Brain Age conocemos a este curioso personaje señor que sale en el juego para decirnos si nuestras neuronas son funcionales o no, si nuestra edad mental es lenta como de anciano o rapida como de adolescente caliente…

Pues bien, ahora aqui unos datos curiosos de nuestro amado? Ryuta

+Nacio en 1959 en Chiba

+Es neuropsicologo

+Trabaja en una universidad de Tohoku como maestro

+En el 2003 saco un libro llamado: Train You Brain:60 days to a better brain [algo como Entrena tu cerebro: 60 dias para un mejor cerebro]

+Don Kawashima no ha ganado ni 1 ctv por la serie Brain Age, todo ha sido donado a la investigacion de la lucha contra el cancer, y ya abrio 2 laboratorios

+No le gustan los videojuegos

+A sus hijos solo los deja jugar 1 hora al dia

Vaya personaje persona no?

The very clever and always entertaining Tori Deaux of MindTweaks.com fame has just written her review of our brain fitness program BrainBuilder®.  

Who says blind dates don’t work! Read Tori’s review: http://www.mindtweaks.com/wordpress/?p=1125

Here you have the February edition of our monthly newsletter covering cognitive health and brain fitness topics. Please remember that you can subscribe to receive this Newsletter by email, simply by submitting your email at the top of this page.

Cognitive training (or structured mental exercise) definitely seems to work – as long as we define properly what “work” means, don’t expect magic cures, and help navigate options. Please keep reading…

Interview: Baycrest

Interview with Baycrest’s CEO Dr. William Reichman: Discussing the recent Centre for Brain Fitness at Baycrest, Dr. Reichman suggests that “we have an opportunity to make major progress in Brain Health in the XXI century, similar to what happened with Cardiovascular Health in the XXth, and technology will play a crucial role.” A major obstacle? We need a consensus on “widely accepted standards for outcome measures”.

Does It Work?

Does cognitive training work? (For Whom? For What?): The growing field of cognitive training (one of the tools for brain fitness) can appear very confusing as the media keeps reporting contradictory claims. These claims are often based on press releases, without a deeper understanding of the scientific evidence. Dr. Pascale Michelon, SharpBrains’ Research Manager for Educational Initiatives, analyzes a couple of recent studies, clarifying what they mean – and what they don’t mean.

It Works, and It Doesn’t Work: the IMPACT study (a major, multi-site study on the Posit Science auditory program) will be published at the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society in April. Results support that cognitive training works – but doesn’t support the grandiose “brain age” claims we see too often.

Cognitive Training can Influence Brain Biochemistry: Dr. David Rabiner discusses a recent scientific study that “shows that brain biochemistry can be modified by experience”, and that computerized cognitive training (Cogmed working memory training) can provide that experience.

The Big Picture

Making Healthy Choices – Primare Care and Prevention: a panel at the recent World Economic Forum explored why “New markets and industries are arising – “silver industries” such as financial services, health, housing and hospitality geared to senior citizens. Longevity needs to be linked to health – including cognitive health – and lifestyle choices play a major role in health.”

Enrich your environment now and benefit your future offspring: Dr. Robert Sylwester reports that “all sorts of long held-beliefs about our brain and cognition are being re- examined by cognitive neuroscientists” because of fascinating studies such as the one  he reviews (with mice): “The study’s findings seemed to suggest that acquired characteristics can be genetically transmitted…long-term benefits accrue from a stimulating early environment that encourages curiosity and exploration.”

Managing Emotions

From Distress to De-Stress: helping anxious, worried kids: In a detailed 2-part article, (Part 1, Part 2), Dr. Jerome Schulz provides great tips on how to help children learn to self-regulate emotions, adding that “Teachers, occupational therapists, physical education teachers and parents need to actually teach children (of all ages) how to get themselves into a physical state of being relaxed. This doesn’t happen automatically. If it did, there wouldn’t be so many adult yoga classes!”

Lie to Me, Paul Ekman and Biofeedback: You may have watched the new series Lie To Me, with Tim Roth, based on the work of Paul Ekman. The introduction to the second episode shows why what are called “lie detectors” are nothing but biofeedback systems that measure physiological anxiety.

News

Brain Games for Baby Boomers: round-up of other recent news, covering the effects of gaming, cognitive training for driving skills, and brain fitness classes.

Neurocognitive assessments and sports concussions: a new study and a new resource to understand and address the 1.6 to 3.8 million cases of sports-related concussions that occur annually in the United States.

Brain Teaser

How will you, your organization, your neighbors, participate in Brain Awareness Week, March 16th-22nd, organized by the Dana Foundation with the participation of thousands of outreach partners, including SharpBrains? You can find event ideas, excellent resources (yes, including puzzles), and a calendar of events, Here.

Have a great month of March!

My mom sent me this site and it is soo cool.  It has really awakened my brain thismorning.

Goto:  http://flashfabrica.com/f_learning/brain/brain.html  

This site is Japanese, but the directions are below:

1. Touch ’start’
2. Wait for 3, 2, 1 to display
3. Memorize the number’s position in the circles on the screen, and then click the empty circles from the smallest number to the  biggest number.
4. At the end of game, the computer will tell you the age of your brain.  

The first time I palyed, my brain age was 54.  Second time 34.  I’m not sure if that is better or worse, but I think I did much better the second time I played.  So, I deduce it is better to have a young brain.

Have fun and post a comment with your brain age.

The Theory: Thinking while drinking makes you smarter.

I was going to describe how the parachutes are like beer and the running is like thinking, but the picture makes me laugh for some reason, so I'll write nothing but this.

 The Test: Brain Age 2 for the Nintendo DS

Basically, two nights ago, I dug out my DS because I didn’t feel like turning on my TV and PS3 to play a video game to fall asleep.  Brain Age 2 was in there and since I didn’t feel like changing that out (I was tired… and a little lazy), I gave it a go.  It was a sober night, and I was rated a Brain Age of 54.

Last night, I had a good five drinks in me as I went to bed.  I pulled out the ol’ DS one more time and I was rated a Brain Age of 34.  That’s a substantial gain, especially when considering my average was previously 53. 

The big question that remains: Do I have to stay drunk to stay smarter?

Cá está um tópico no melhor estilo CheapAssGamer. Este tópico é para você, gamer que quer seus jogos a preços decentes! Tudo bem que alguns dos jogos da lista não estão a preços que poderiam ser considerados uma promoção, mas estão pelo menos a uma preço aceitável, para fugir dessas lojas que cobram mais de 250 reais por um lançamento. Sempre que eu encontrar algo em promoção ou com preços convidativos, postarei aqui para vocês, os dois leitores do meu blog, conferirem. E parabéns ao masterpoint, usuário da NGM que teve a iniciativa de listar várias promoções de lojas online.

ATENÇÃO!! Este post não foi criado com o intuito de promover alguma loja em específico, e sim de informar os gamers sobre preços aceitáveis para comprarem jogos novos.

Brain Age 2

Valor:  R$49,00

Loja: Big Boy Games

URL: http://www.bigboygames.com.br/produtos.asp?produto=453

Guilty Gear Dust Strikers

Valor: 49,99

Loja: Mister Bros Games

URL: http://www.misterbros.com.br/produtosdetalhes_sv.asp?ProdutoID=11322

Lost in Blue 2

Valor: 49,99

Loja: Mister Bros Games

URL: http://www.misterbros.com.br/produtosdetalhes_sv.asp?ProdutoID=11782

Tenchu DS – Dark Secret

Valor: 59,99

Loja: Mister Bros Games

URL: http://www.misterbros.com.br/produtosdetalhes_sv.asp?ProdutoID=11650

Pro Evolution Soccer (Winning Eleven) 2008

Valor: 49,99

Loja: Mister Bros Games

URL: http://www.misterbros.com.br/produtosdetalhes_sv.asp?ProdutoID=12286

Diddy Kong Racing

Valor: 79,90

Loja: Super Games

URL: http://www.lojasupergames.com.br/sistema/ListaProdutos.asp?IDLoja=1195&Y=196616063869&Det=True&IDProduto=933174&q=Jogo+Nintendo+DS+-+Diddy+Kong+Racing

Obs: não listei todos os jogos a preços baixos, somente os que eu acho que valem mais a pena comprar =p

Current brain age: 30.
I’ve thrown SNDTRKS up on my personal webpage/info page on Blackboard, this program we use for school.  I look forward to scrutiny.

I’ve received a copy of Paul Mullin’s play “The Ten Thousand Things” from… um… Paul Mullin.  It’s overall concept is, naturally, fantastic.  I say this because it’s origin is the Long Now Foundation’s ideals, specifically the Clock of the Long Now.  After that it’s sort of a post-apocalyptic sci-fi in it’s premis.  It’s based around a small amount of people living in three realities: the present, six thousand years from now, and never.

The Ten Thousand Things

Skipping the story and the dialogue (which is the only short coming of mention), a key factor in this work is that every night the play is shown, a single word is changed in the story.  This makes the production both organic in it’s structure and achieves (if in this alone) the goal of long-term thinking and change.  A small bit changes now, but over weeks, months, years, it’s a completely different piece of work virtually all by itself.  In fact, the copy of the script I received was entitled “tick 19″ which (I assume) is a “counting” title, as every performance is a different version.

Anyways, if you have a chance to see it, I highly encourage you do so.

{ it’s 9:31AM and I’m listening to “Like a Pen” by The Knife }

I just wanted to comment on how I’m now a member of Second Life for a, uh…  indefinite amount of time.  I’m not sure I like it enough to bother with it is what my trouble is.  So I created an avatar that I’m comfortable with.  I’ve learned some of the basics and/or know what the basics and ideas are.  I’ve listened to talks and read articles on what it’s capable of.  I’m just not certain it’s for me.   I’m not a member of some sex orgy group as they’ve shown on Special Victims Unit (the most tired of Law & Order bits).  I’m not going to use it for mega-corporation conference purposes.  I would be interested in anything to do with the Long Now Foundation or Brian Eno (77 Million Paintings, for example).  But that’s really it.  It seems like a lot of fuss.

It does allow me to see from a slightly different angle the truth behind mankind anymore.  That truth lies in Customizable Avatars.  The individual wants to be someone else and makes no reservations about withholding that information.  It is an admittance that they are unhappy with who they are.  … and their shallowness, I think.  Though it’s not soley on the shoulders of the consumer.  The creator appears to have nothing immediately satisfying outside of an avatar.  However, that being said, I do know that Second Life is a great tool for many things.  People never look that deep though.  I recommend Wiki’ing Second Life and it’s creator and looking into it’s positives.

That’s all.  My friend Kris want’s to read this blog now.

Her brain age is 80.

Mind exercises to help slow down the mind’s aging process.