Study shows the ADHD brain develops differently

This actually ran in December 2008, but today was the first time I ran across it, and I thought it was blog-worthy:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/dailydose/11/25/adhd.kids.brain/index.html

Here are some of the important tidbits I took away from this article, which features Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who I really admire and trust:

1. Healthy brains and brains with ADHD mature in the same pattern (front to back), but not at the same rate.

2. The delay might be about 3 years in some regions. So certain regions of a child with a healthy brain might mature at age 7, while a brain with ADHD might not see regions mature until age 10.

3. In ADHD brains, the areas that appear to mature more slowly are the areas that control attention, action and control. 

4. According to Dr. Gupta, kids with ADHD will probably outgrow it, but it might not be until “well after adolescence or into adulthood.”

5. This research might help scientists develop drugs or procedures that help the brain mature faster. Or perhaps drugs/procedures that could help dull impulsivity.

Lack of sleep seems to impact older adults’ cognitive function less

Just because your retired mother can function well on 6 hours of sleep doesn’t mean you (or your college kid!) can. 

A study published in Science Daily found that older adults (aged 59 – 82) retain more cognitive function during sleep deprivation that younger adults (aged 19 to 38).

The researchers found that older adults’ cognitive skills like working memory, selective attention and verbal encoding/retrieval were not as affected from lack of sleep as those of the younger age group. 

One theory is that the older adults may have remained healthier than the younger adults, helping them fight off stressors (like 36 hours of sleep deprivation). 

The lead scientist warned that “sacrificing sleep to study or work is a false trade-off.” In other words, you might get that assignment turned in, but it’s likely going to be full of mistakes!

Here’s the study:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090610091333.htm

First-time Internet-users see beneficial brain activation

If you were worried that your Internet use is hurting your brain, a new study seems to imply otherwise. Researchers at UCLA studied middle-aged and older adults with little experience on the Web and found that after just one week of “surfing” the Internet, they triggered several regions of the brain.

The key centers that were activated control decision-making, working memory and complex reasoning. And while that’s important, it’s vital just to note that neural activation patterns were stimulated (no matter what region).

As we age, our cognitive function decreases. But this research shows that we can get neurons firing to help change our brain function – at any age. (These folks were between 55 and 78.)

And if their brains improved after 7 days of Internet use (in about two weeks), imagine what an intensive, 12-week brain training program could do!

Here’s the study: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168005.php

Memory boosting drugs??

If you didn’t already know it, there are some drugs on the market that claim to be “memory-boosters.” They’re currently available by prescription only but, understandably, many doctors are not keen on the idea of prescribing them, since no one really knows all the risks yet. They’re called “neuroenhancements” and they include stimulants and cholinesterase inhibitors.

A new report cautions neurologists to be aware of the potential downside to these RXs.

I would hope that any doctor would first write a “prescription” for cognitive skills training. It’s very effective at improving things like attention, memory and processing speed – and it’s not just for kids and teens. Many Baby Boomers are going through cognitive skills training programs and seeing amazing results – and it’s much safer than drugs! Before you jump on the RX bandwagon, find out about your other no-risk options.

Here’s the article: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/165950.php

Playing an instrument literally changes your brain – for the better

Yes, I’ve mentioned this correlation before, but one researcher is proposing that it be used to improve language skills and memory (and mood).

The research, which was written up in a review for Faculty of 1000 Biology Reports, says that playing a musical instrument actually changes the anatomy and function of the brain. In fact, musicians have a larger and more active region of the brain – the region that processes music. And because it’s also the same region that helps with memory and language skills, it’s understandable why scientists are drawing a correlation between music and strong memory/language skills.

What I really liked is that the article said, “Even just starting to learn a musical instrument can change the neurophysiology of the brain.”

The researcher, Lutz Jancke, hopes these findings can be put to further use in things like brain rehabilitation. Anything that strengthens weak cognitive skills has got to be good!

Here’s the article: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168846.php#at

Study about how homework struggles affect the entire family

Just got this in a newsletter. It’s an interesting piece about the demands of homework on young children, and how it can disrupt the entire family (including time, stress, energy, frustration, etc.)

 

 

http://learningrx.lyrishq.net/newsletter-11—october-2009-2/the-impact-of-homework-problems-on-the-whole-family/

 

 

 

I thought the editorial comment explained a lot, especially when so many parents are saying that there’s “just too much homework” if their child struggles:

 

“Homework should not always be difficult or impossible. These children are showing symptoms of deeper learning difficulties and are not just being belligerent or unmotivated to learn. True, as school years advance, subject matter becomes more challenging, but poor memory, difficulty spelling, slow, choppy reading, the inability to read for pleasure, attention problems, and other fights over school work indicate potential cognitive skill difficulties. Cognitive skills are those that make up our tool set and our ability to learn, read, and do math problems: auditory processing, visual processing, memory, attention (selective, divided, and sustained), processing speed, long-term memory, and logic and reasoning. If you continuously fight with your child during homework time or it takes much, much longer than it needs to, there may be a root cause to their difficulties that can be trained and strengthened.

 

To find out more about LearningRx’s programs for preschoolers, elementary students, middle and high school kids, college students, and adults, go to www.learningrx.com.”

New study shows ADHD meds can impair working memory later

If you child or teen is on a stimulant medication for ADHD (like Ritalin), you’ll want to read this new study. Scientists exposed rates to the stimulant meds (equivalent of teen years in humans) and found that when they became adults, their working memory was significantly impaired – even LONG AFTER they weren’t exposed to the stimulant meds anymore.

In other words, if your teen takes a stimulant med for ADHD now, they might have significant impairment to their working memory as an adult even if they’re no longer taking the meds. (And it’s even worse for those who abuse stimulant meds, which many teens do now.)

Working memory is a very important cognitive skill. One example I always use is that it helps you “carry the one” when you’re added larger numbers. In other words, it helps you retain the information you’re using at the time. It helps you PROCESS.

They’re going to do more research on the matter, but in the meantime, consider your options to stimulant meds for ADHD. There’s just too much scary research. Look into a cognitive skills training program. The good ones (like www.LearningRx.com) strengthen the weak learning skills (like the three types of attention) and most kids off ADHD drugs for good.

Here’s the study: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168318.php

Does your diabetic child struggle to remember things?

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168049.php

If your child or teen has diabetes (or you yourself), you’ve probably heard of “diabetic ketoacidosis.” It’s basically an episode in which the body burns fat for energy instead of sugar due to lack of insulin. It can cause nausea, vomiting and fatigue, and many people say they feel mentally sluggish during or after an episode. (If not treated, diabetics can go into a coma.)

Well now researchers believe that children who have had an episode of diabetic ketoaciosis may cause longer-term memory issues (eg. not just during or immediately following the episode).

The scientists studied 62 kids with type 1 diabetes, about half of which had no history of diabetic ketoacidosis, and the other half who did. Those who HAD experienced episodes at one point in their lives performed significantly lower on memory-related tests.

The article above doesn’t say WHY they think this is happening, but my guess is that the episodes affect the part of the brain responsible for memory – and unless the children undergo cognitive skills therapy to strengthen those cognitive skills (specifically long-term memory), they wouldn’t just repair themselves.

FREE webinars for parents of children on the autism spectrum

Just got this in a newsletter today:

Live Webinar:

A Mom Shares How Her Autistic

Son Found Success With Brain Training

Upcoming Webinar

Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009 at 11 am MST

LearningRx is pleased to announce a live educational webinar hosted by Kim Hanson, a mom and master LearningRx trainer. Her 11-year-old twin, Max, was labeled with Pervasive Developmental Disorder, was told he would never read, and rarely responded to questions. But, after cognitive brain training, he is reading, social, and full of life. Join this live webinar where Kim will share struggles, triumphs, and successes.

 

When finished you will know:

1. What causes most learning struggles

2. What brain training is and why it works

3. Who can be helped by brain training

4. The first step parents should take

 

Join us live! Choose a date and register here: 

http://webinars.learningrx.com/

 

Scientists show dyslexics can literally change their brains

Researchers from Spain, Columbia and the UK studies former guerrillas (the men, not the primates) who didn’t know how to read. (Dyslexia literally means “trouble with words.”) 

As the scientists taught these men to read, they studied their brains with MRIs. They found that the density of grey matter (where ‘processing’ is done) was greater in certain regions of the left side of the brain. Not surprising, these are the areas that recognize letter shapes and translate the letters into sounds and meanings.

They also found that reading strengthened the white matter connections between the brain’s processing regions. 

Scientists used to think that smaller regions of grey and white matter was the CAUSE of dyslexia. This study suggests that some of the differences might be a CONSEQUENCE of reading difficulties. (Things, “use it or lose it.”)

So basically, strengthening your cognitive skills (for example, visual processing, attention and processing speed – all of which help you be a strong reader) can actually help your brain get stronger by increasing the important regions and connections between those regions.

The brain is not stagnant! Cognitive skills training strengthens your brain like exercise strengthens your body.

Here’s the study: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167468.php