virtual lecture: 25 must-know facts to harness neuroplasticity & technology for better brain...
TRANSCRIPT
25 Must-Know Facts
to Harness Neuroplasticity & Technology
For Better Brain Health
Thank you for joining!
Robert M Bilder, PhD
Tennenbaum Family Chair of Creativity Research
Director of Medical Psychology -Neuropsychology
UCLA Semel Institute, Departments of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences and Psychology
There is more than one “It” in “Use It or
Lose It”
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The groups also differed on the delayed recall of
the Taylor complex figure [F(2,87) = 4.38; p = 0.015],
with qualified trainees being significantly worse at
recalling the complex Figure after 30 min delay than
the control participants (p=0.01).
The one thing is… maybe another thing!
Genes do not determine the fate of our brains
• Many well characterized cognitive and brain traits are about 50% “heritable”– Gray matter, brain structure volumes, FSIQ:
70-95%– Connectivity metrics from rsEEG: 37-89%– Specific patterns of fMRI activation: 15-30%
• This means that in general (without special training) about 50% of traits are the result of environmental factors
• No one knows how much you may be able to modify traits regardless of your genetic endowment
• BUT – don’t believe the “Lucy Myth”
RCTs are the standard for testing intervention efficacy
• RCT = randomized controlled trial• Without RCT, impossible to control
confounds and draw conclusions specific to intervention– Selection bias– Performance bias (diff exposures
other than tx)– Detection bias (diff assessment of
outcomes)– Attrition bias– Selective reporting bias
Lumosity
“At Lumos Labs, we believe in helping people keep their brains
challenged. That's why we created a simple online tool to allow anyone
to exercise core cognitive abilities. With 7 published studies and more
on the way, we’re always making training better for you.”
Website lists 2 published RCT’s, both
involved “wait list” control groups with no
active intervention, total N (exp) = 37, N (ctrl)
= 29
Two additional RCT’s:
1-”Portal 2” video game is superior to
Lumosity (Shute et al 2015)
2-Lumosity superior to 3 sessions with study
team (Ballesteros et al 2014)
Do cognitive/physical exercise, diet, social engagement prevent decline?
• Daviglus et al 2010 – state of the art statement from NIH on prevention of decline– Weak + evidence: ω-3 fatty acids (fish); social engagement; cognitive
activities; physical & leisure activities
– Adverse: ApoE4, smoking, death of spouse
• Ngandu et al 2015 – FINGER study– ~600 per group in RCT: multidomain tx (diet, phys, cog, cardiac
monitoring) vs health advice
– Barely detectable group difference: ES .2 vs .16
Ngandu et al 2015: FINGER
Willis et al 2006: ACTIVE study
Effects of physical activity on brain structure and function
• Childhood: fitness and PA associated with improved:
– Hippocampal and BG volumes, white matter integrity
– Efficient brain activity
– Cognitive performance and scholastic achievement
• Older Adults: fitness and PA associated with improved:
– Hippocampal, PFC, BG volumes, WM integrity
– Functional connectivity, efficiency
– Executive and memory functions
RCT 120 Older AdultsErickson et al 2011
Putative mechanisms: PA effects on neuroplasticity
Energy demands of the brain are intense and use mechanisms that can benefit from training
• Brain operations demand energy from glucose
• Glucose metabolism demands Oxygen
– Burning glucose consumes 6 O2s yielding CO2 and water
• Energy demands vasodilation increased CBF and metabolism
• Increased metabolism gene induction creation of proteins that change cells to prepare for future demands
Diabetes increases the risk of cognitive decline and dementia
• poor glycemic control
• hypoglycemia
• microvascular disease
• inflammation
• depression
Big Social Network, Big Amygdala?
Bickart et al 2014 Neuropsychologia
The amygdala as a hub in brain networks that support
social life
Brief Q&A
http://www.semel.ucla.edu/creativity
http://healthy.ucla.edu
Tan Le
Co-Founder & CEO of Emotiv
• Applying advancements in neurotech to every day life
vision
manage stress
regulate emotions
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improve focus
• Chronic stress must (and can) be avoided
• Practice is important to regulate stress
• Mental stimulation builds cognitive reserve
• Our brain thrives on challenge
• Diversity and variety is crucial to cross-train the
brain
• Holistic multi-pronged approach is recommended
Tan Le
Co-Founder & CEO of Emotiv
Brief Q&A
SharpBrains
25 Facts Virtual LectureAlvaro Fernandez
Co-Founder & CEO of SharpBrains
Co-Author, The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness
THE FACTS
THE OPPORTUNITY
Cells that fire together
wire together
Brain training can work if…
1. Target neural processes that support real-world
activities
2. Minimum “dose” of ~15 hours of training per
targeted improvement
3. Address an individual’s bottleneck/ deficit
4. Adaptive challenge
5. Continued practice
Source: The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness
What does the “BBC brain training study” (2010, 2015)
prove?
…but, no one shoe fits all
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SharpBrains
25 Facts Virtual LectureAlvaro Fernandez
Co-Founder & CEO of SharpBrains
Co-Author, The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness
Brief Q&A
Source: A two decade dementia incidence comparison from the Cognitive Function and
Ageing Studies I and II (Nature Communications)
SharpBrains
25 Facts Virtual Lecture
General Q&A
Again, thank you for participating!
