Imagine stepping into a virtual reality environment that recreates in amazing detail the sights, sounds, and smells of a past experience, or a setting that triggers addictive behaviors, such as a bar scene with a favorite drink placed in front of a recovering alcoholic. And then into this virtual reality steps a helpful digital avatar [...]

We’ll give you the answer up front: It depends. With the growing number of brain training products and cognitive training service providers in the market today, it’s important to understand the potential benefits and drawbacks of formalized, structured cognitive training. Using analogies with physical rehabilitation and fitness training can help define the type (and potential [...]

A pair of recent medical studies have raised warning flags on radiation exposure from brain imaging tests, especially for patients younger than 20 years old. The main culprit for excessive radiation is the computed tomography test, or CT scan. CT scans are X-Rays on steroids – the CT scanner uses ionizing radiation, which can damage [...]

The University of California San Diego School of Medicine hosted a wide ranging conference on brain health at the end of May. The first topic I’ll cover is a talk by Robert Stern, PhD, professor of neurology at Boston University. Dr. Stern is also Co-Director at the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy, known [...]

The Pop Warner youth football group issued new practice guidelines this week in an attempt to reduce concussions and head injuries among the more than 400,000 children who participate in youth football leagues in the United States. Pop Warner is a major source and feeder system for high school, college, and professional football – more [...]