Slides from the April 21st, 2016 virtual lecture where three well-recognized experts and pioneers–UCLA’s Dr. Bob Bilder, Emotiv’s Tan Le, and SharpBrains’ Alvaro Fernandez–discussed 25 fundamental facts around neuroplasticity, Alzheimer’s prevention, brain training, meditation, neurofeedback, neurogenesis, brain supplements, and more. Available online from anywhere with an Internet connection, this virtual lecture provided participants with the must-know foundation to understand the value and the limitations of emerging brain science and related technologies, empowering them to navigate the growing stream of news articles, research reports and marketing claims.

1. 25 Must-Know Facts
to Harness Neuroplasticity & Technology
For Better Brain Health

2. Thank you for joining!

3. 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

4. There is more than one “It” in “Use It or
Lose It”

5. 5
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!

6. 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”

7. 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

8. 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)

9. 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

10. Ngandu et al 2015: FINGER

11. Willis et al 2006: ACTIVE study

12. 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

13. RCT 120 Older Adults
Erickson et al 2011

14. Putative mechanisms: PA effects on neuroplasticity

15. 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

17. Diabetes increases the risk of cognitive decline and
dementia
• poor
glycemic
control
• hypoglycem
ia
• microvascul
ar disease
• inflammati
on
• depression

18. Big Social Network, Big Amygdala?

19. Bickart et al 2014 Neuropsychologia
The amygdala as a hub in brain networks that support
social life

20. Brief Q&A
rbilder@mednet.ucla.edu
http://www.semel.ucla.edu/creativity
http://healthy.ucla.edu

21. Tan Le
Co-Founder & CEO of Emotiv

22. • Applying advancements in neurotech to every day life

23. vision
manage stress

24. regulate emotions

25. 25
improve focus

26. • Chronic stress must (and can) be avoided

27. • Practice is important to regulate stress

28. • Mental stimulation builds cognitive reserve

29. • Our brain thrives on challenge

30. • Diversity and variety is crucial to cross-train the
brain

32. • Holistic multi-pronged approach is recommended

33. Tan Le
Co-Founder & CEO of Emotiv
Brief Q&A

34. SharpBrains
25 Facts Virtual Lecture
Alvaro Fernandez
Co-Founder & CEO of SharpBrains
Co-Author, The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness

35. Source: The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness

36. THE FACTS

37. THE OPPORTUNITY

38. Cells that fire together
wire together

39. 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?

40. …but, no one shoe fits all
AGE
PERFORMANCE
25 50 75 100
PERFORMANCE
AGE

41. SharpBrains
25 Facts Virtual Lecture
Alvaro Fernandez
Co-Founder & CEO of SharpBrains
Co-Author, The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness
Brief Q&A

42. Source: A two decade dementia incidence comparison from the Cognitive Function and
Ageing Studies I and II (Nature Communications)

43. SharpBrains
25 Facts Virtual Lecture
General Q&A

44. Again, thank you for participating!

45. For more information, visit
sharpbrains.com/