Hey all,
Coming up is a webinar, “HIV-Related Cognitive Decline: Can Brain Training Work?” This informative webinar will be Thursday, June 10, 2010 1:00-2:00pm PDT, hosted by esteemed HIV/AIDS researcher Sean Rourke, Ph.D. It is free and open to the public.
Register now: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/234115393
Dr. Rourke, who is a professor in the department of psychiatry and neuroscience at the University of Toronto and the Scientific and Executive Director of the Ontario HIV Treatment Network, will discuss the prevalence of HIV-related cognitive impairment, and talk about his experience using brain training programs to ameliorate the symptoms and improve outcomes for patients. Joining him in the presentation will be two patients who will share their own stories and successes concerning HIV–related cognitive impairment. The webinar is open to anyone and is completely free.
What: “HIV-Related Cognitive Decline: Can Brain Training Work?”
Where: Register online at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/234115393
When: Thursday, June 10, 2010 1:00-2:00pm PDT
About HIV-Related Cognitive Decline:
Most people don't realize that a common corollary of HIV infection is a decline in cognitive performance. By some estimates, over 50% of HIV patients experience some level of cognitive impairment. HIV-related cognitive impairment is caused by a variety of factors. Most notably, cognition problems occur when the virus directly attacks the brain and cause damage to the myelin – a fatty substance that covers and protects the axons of nerve fibers. Destruction of the myelin can cause nerve impulses to slow down, affecting concentration, memory, thinking, speech, emotional expression, motor coordination, and social behavior.
About Posit Science:
Posit Science is the leader in clinically proven brain fitness programs and works with over 50 scientists from prestigious universities to design and test its interactive computer-based programs. More than 60 articles in leading science and medical journals show that the company's patented technologies significantly increase visual processing speed, improve memory and attention and enhance quality of life. Posit Science has received grants from the National Institutes of Health and numerous awards and accolades. The company's products, scientists and science are currently featured in the PBS documentary "Brain Fitness Frontiers." For more information, visit www.PositScience.com or call 1-800-599-6463.
Yeah, its a tad wordy. I guess it is, but to be honest it's going to be a great event as there is little if any research insight into HIV Related Cognitive Decline, and Dr. Rourke has been looking into the effects of brain fitness on decline.
The research is in it's early stages but to ultimately discredit it as impossible is viewing the subject in terms that are too black and white. Your brain is capable of change every second you live, so to say that the brain is incapable of plasticity is to discredit learning altogether. An example would be to say that someone with dyslexia will never learn to read correctly, or an individual who is depressed will never be happy again. An individual's brain is strongly affected by its environment. I'm not urging you to ascertain that brain training is ultimately and truthfully the only way an individual with HIV related cognitive decline is going to get better, but closing the door on it doesn't leave the discussion open.
I would love to know what the "recent study" was in respect to brain training, there's always going to be two sides of any matter, and I urge you to be skeptical of both sides (pro and con).