Calendrical Calculation

Are you familiar with the term calendrical calculations? It's a term that describes an ability to name the day of the week for a specific date. Being able to name the day of the week for any date in the distant past or future is a fairly common savant ability. Interestingly, studies have shown that individuals who have calendrical calculation skills often have IQs that are below average, but not always. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160289699000288)

Memories: Episodic and Semantic

Did you know that Declarative Memory or Explicit Memory refers to one of two types of long-term human memory? These labels refer to memories that you can consciously recall and tell (declare) to others should you choose to do so. Declarative/Explicit memory can be divided into two categories: Episodic memory that stores specific personal experiences (where you went on vacation last year); Semantic memory that stores factual information (your name and birthdate) and reflects the general knowledge you have gained about the world. For most people, these types of memory eventually tend to weaken with age.

CTE - Pugilistic Encephalitis

Are you protecting your brain from trauma? I hope so! Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a degenerative condition perhaps best-known for affecting individuals who endure repeated blows to the head (e.g. boxers, football players, other athletes). According to Dr. Daniel Amen, a 27-year old former Marine is the first Iraq veteran that was found to have CTE. Reportedly, an abnormal form of a protein accumulates and eventually destroys cells throughout the brain in areas that regulate impulse control, judgment, multitasking, memory and emotions. As compared with returning Vietnam veterans, Afghan and Iraq veterans are much more likely to have been exposed to blasts, whose shock waves send the brain crashing into the skull.

Baboons and Reading

Did you know that even though baboons do not use language they can learn to distinguish real words from nonsense? The baboons probably identified the English words by using orthographic information—the identity and position of the letters within the word. Based on these studies by Jonathan Grainger of CNRS and Aix-Marseille University in France, the ability to read may involve simple object-identification skills rather than on more advanced linguistic skills. The hope is that this and similar studies may help to uncover the causes of reading disabilities such as dyslexia.

Happy Father's Day

Do you have more than one "father" to honor on this Father's Day? A "dad" may be your biological father, a step-father, a role-model father, or a nurturing father. Fatherhood is an important role. According to anthropologist Maurice Godelier, the parental role assumed by human males is a critical difference between human society and that of humans' closest biological relatives—chimpanzees and bonobos—who appear to be unaware of their "father" connection. Active "dads" can offer many benefits to their offspring. They can play a key role in reducing behavior and psychological problems in young men and women and can help them develop greater problem-solving skills. An increased amount of father–child involvement may help increase a child's social stability, educational achievement, and their potential to build solid relationships in adulthood. Affirm your "dads" today. Each one gave you something to learn.

Nik Wallenda's Brain

My brain loves seeing another realize a cherished goal, My congratulations to Nik Wallenda on his safe and successful tight-rope walk across the Niagara Falls. I visited this famous horseshoe wonder often in childhood, having lived on both the Canadian and American sides, at different times of course. Watching Nic progress one step at a time, my brain took me back in memory to the feel of spray biting my skin, the deafening roar from underneath the falls, rides on the Maid of the Mist, and wind that virtually snatched away all speach. I, too, know what it feels like to finally accomplish something you've wanted since you were age seven. Not coming from generations of acrobats as Nik does, my goal involved keeping my feet firmly planted on terra ferma, but in all seven continents one after the other--Antarctica finally being the last! What has your brain dreamed of doing? Go for it. Get started today!

Serotonin in Your Gut

Did you know that a big part of your emotions are probably influenced by the neurons, neurotransmitters, other chemicals, and nerves in your gastrointestinal system? Serotonin, for example. Estimates are that about 95% of your body’s Serotonin is found in the gastrointestinal system or gut. Serotonin is an extremely important neurotransmitter, a well-known contributor towards feelings of well being. Sometimes it is also called a “happiness hormone”. Part of how well you feel emotionally on any given day partially reflects what is going on in your gut. And, of course, how your gut is feeling based on what you have eaten or not eaten . . .