- ADHD and Genetics
Dr. Vance believes he has conclusive evidence that key areas of the brain do not develop as quickly in children with ADHD. These areas, he posits, are linked to a child’s understanding of time and space as well as the ability to use working memory.
"So their ability to read other people's body language, to pick up on the nuances of what their peer group are up to, would clearly be affected by the sort of developmental delays in brain development that we've identified," he said.
- ADHD, Brain Growth and Development
Neuroscientists now generally agree that the brain is always changing and reorganizing (neuroplasticity). If mitigation of ADHD symptoms can be induced by external challenges, we may very well have to rethink its etiology or concede that it a normal characteristic on the spectrum of human traits which can be dealt with, at least in part, by external challenges.
- ADHD: Retrain the Brain
The bottom line is: The brain can be retrained to overcome learning disabilities, cognitive impairments, ADHD, etc. What we now know is that this is done over a vast network in the brain that encompasses many other minor and major networks. You could think of retraining as the confluence of several telephone companies coming together to in order to overcome a limitation. Each has its own network and substructure but can become bigger and stronger (overcoming their respective limitations) by merging with the other network (think AT&T and Cingular). In the brain, this is done over a wide area of networks -- not locally in distinct surface areas as superficial brain imaging might indicate.
- ADHD: The problem is simply diffused attention
Therefore, a new conceptualization of the basic nature and etiology of ADHD behaviors is necessary in which current known research about human potential and learning are incorporated to produce a scientific, systematic approach to teach sustained attention and improve subordinate deficits in related cognitive skills like short-term memory.
- An Innovative Technology for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Presently, some researchers and experts recognize that there is a correlation between Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Some believe that ADHD is closely related to Asperger’s Syndrome. Autism Spectrum Disorders and ADHD are developmental disorders that affect the areas of social skills, behavior, and communication.
When combined with special strategies as well as transfer and generalization techniques, Play Attention has produced remarkable results for students with Autism and AD/HD. The core Play Attention system allows the teacher to modify and adjust it curriculum to accommodate the special needs of these children.
- Brain Study May Shed Light on Attention Disorders
New research shows it takes one part of the brain to start concentrating and another to be distracted. This discovery could help scientists develop better treatments for attention deficit disorder.
- Can custom-made video games help children with attention deficit disorder?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about three percent of American school children take stimulants like Ritalin regularly. However current research suggests a surprising new strategy for treating this disorder: video games linked to brain-wave biofeedback that can help kids with ADHD train their minds to tune in and settle down.
- For ADHD Children, Mother’s Depression, Early Parenting Predict Conduct Problems
According to a study published in the January 2007 issue of the American Psychological Association's journal, Developmental Psychology, a mother's depression predicts whether children with ADHD will develop behavioral problems.
Psychology professor Andrea Chronis, director of the University of Maryland ADHD Program and lead author on the paper said, "In the real world, this could have important implications, because research has suggested that children with both ADHD and conduct problems are at the greatest risk of becoming chronic criminal offenders."
- John Ratey: “Train Your Brain”
"Neurons that fire together wire together" means that the more we repeat the same actions and thoughts--from practicing a tennis serve to memorizing multiplication tables--the more we encourage the formation of certain connections and the more fixed the neural circuits in the brain for that activity become.
- Mental Processing is Continuous, Not Like a Computer
Through computerized testing, the researchers essentially confirmed AND disputed work theorized by computer scientist, Marvin Minsky, in his book, The Society of Mind.Once again, the mind seems to have a difficult time describing its own activities.
- Neurofeedback, ADHD and Medication
In his Attention Research Update, September 2007, David Rabiner, Ph.D. Senior Research Scientist, Duke University, entitled his article, How Strong is the Research Support for Neurofeedback Treatment? The report is rather perfunctory and the staid course he’s followed for years. A fresh, candid review must be performed regarding research on multi-modal treatments, neurofeedback, and medication.
- Neurogenesis: Mechanisms of Change
Research at the Salk Institute found that patients as mature as 72 were actually creating new brain cells. The formation of new brain cells is termed neurogenesis. Furthermore, the Salk Institute’s research revealed that mice that were stimulated environmentally – for instance made to run – produced more new cells than did their counterparts who were sedentary.
- Re-wiring Your Brain, Meditation & ADHD, A Self-service Guide
"Brain research is beginning to produce concrete evidence for something that Buddhist practitioners of meditation have maintained for centuries: Mental discipline and meditative practice can change the workings of the brain and allow people to achieve different levels of awareness.
- Stimulation and Continued Brain Development
Inability to stay focused on a task is a hallmark of the aging brain's decline. Bilingual people also seemed more readily able to filter out distraction or irrelevant data. This suggests that the function, capacity, or neural network involved in bilingual language processing may be the same processing needed to stay attentive. The study appears in the June, 2004 issue of the journal Psychology and Aging.
- Technology Showing Promise in Treating Attention and Behavioral Problems in Children & Adults
"NASA has proven that attention can be improved through feedback training. Play Attention is actually an enhancement to their technology which is successfully impacting the lives of children and adults worldwide," says Peter Freer, Play Attention Founder and CEO.
- The Controversy Over Brain Imaging – Introduction
Has brain scanning become the new phrenology? It's an interesting prospect that may be clarified by an historical perspective.
- Using NASA Technology to Increase Attention and Cognitive Function
Just as NASA astronauts and pilots train to increase attention, Play Attention literally teaches the user to increase concentration, complete tasks, visual tracking, short-term memory, and to filer out distractions -- all the skills necessary to be successful in the classroom. The learner directly observes his mind's ability to command the computer screen in real-time.
- Video Games and Brain Development
Brice Mellen is super proficient in games such as Mortal Kombat and others. The only difference between Brice and his peers is that Brice is blind. The following excerpt is from the article and is an exceptional example of neuroplasticity or Brice’s ability (his brain’s ability) to compensate for his loss of sight.