—–
Time for SharpBrains’ May e-newsletter, highlighting what’s new in brain health and mental performance, and featuring a very relevant MIT initiative and a thought-provoking study on the “Cognitive Divide.”
New thinking
- MIT Solve launches Brain Health Challenge: How can every person improve their brain health and mental resilience?
- Mental Health Innovation and Dr. Tom Insel: from the NIMH to Google/ Verily Life Sciences to Startup Mindstrong
- Five reasons the future of brain enhancement is digital, pervasive and (hopefully) bright (related slides here)
- Eight research teams working with DARPA to discover best ways to activate neuroplasticity and accelerate learning
- Researchers propose four “neurorights” to harness neurotechnology for good: cognitive liberty, mental privacy, mental integrity, and psychological continuity
![]()
New research
New research- Is modernity leading to a growing Cognitive Divide?
- Physically-active video games (‘exergames’) boost cognition more than physical activity alone
- Common medication treatments for PTSD can increase the risk of developing dementia
- Study identifies brain circuits enabling four-year-olds to “put themselves in other people’s shoes”
New tools
- Want a music system that lifts you up when you’re feeling down? Meet this audio headset with bio-signal sensors (NeuroSky patent)
- Evaluating neural responses via EEG brain data in virtual reality environments (Nielsen patent)
- Connecting cardiological and neurological health (Medtronic patent)
- Start-up Aira raises $12M, showing the way for cognitive science and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the lives of blind and low vision individuals
Have a great month of June and, for those based in the US, a great Memorial Day weekend,
The SharpBrains Team
