Customer Reviews

The Sharp Brains Guide to Brain Fitness: 18 Interviews with Scientists, Practical Advice, and Product Reviews, to Keep Your Brain Sharp

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had great expectations for this book and was not disappointed.

This book is a great resource for learning the basics of the different brain areas and varied brain functions. I learned in Chapter 1 how to improve learning abilities based on the varied ways of learning. If a child is having a difficult time in learning, changing the technique of learning is indicated. In schools, variations must be used with learners that are not learning in the traditional manner. The interview with Dr. James Zull discussed this point. This was not a central point of Chapter 1 but I thought that the comments on education were really interesting.

Chapter 1 also discussed how neuroplasticity is at the core of brain fitness. An interesting study was described, stating that London taxi drivers have a larger hippocampus than London bus drivers due to the taxi drivers need to decide on varying routes compared to the bus drivers having set routes during their day.

The most helpful chapter of this book for me was Chapter 2. The chapter delved in to the 4 pillars of brain health. The four pillars of brain health are: balanced nutrition, stress management, physical exercise, and mental stimulation. Before reading this book, I knew that what is good for the heart is good for the brain. What I learned was how critical physical exercise is for brain health. The chapter went into great detail for each of the 4 pillars and discussed scientific studies related to each area. The book stated that brisk walking for a total of 3 hours each week can halt or reverse brain atrophy. This chapter has straight forward information on how to make a difference in how you work towards brain health and fitness.

Chapter 4 delved in to the different brain training programs that are available to the public. I had no idea that there were so many different programs available outside of the medical and educational professions. The different programs were discussed without bias, which was really appreciated. The programs were broken down into an easy to compare chart and then discussed in detail. This chapter was quite helpful to me in finding a stress management product.

This book also has thought provoking questions for group discussions and or book clubs listed in Chapter 7. The questions listed will bring the topic of brain fitness front and center to debates with families, friends, and colleagues. What better way to stimulate the brain than to take a walk with a friend and talk about the book.

Highly recommended.

This practical guide outlines the new landscape of brain science and provides a structure for enhancing one's brain health: it rates current products available to maintain the brain and offers proactive tips to ensure a healthy aging brain.

This book also offers hope to those challenged with PTSD and other types of traumatic brain injury by instructing readers to increase capacity and work with the brain's innate power to rewire itself through learning new skills and abilities. The authors have interviewed the prominent scientists in the field for the most recent research and insight so it is chockfull of information.

I would recommend this book to everyone who is interested in a healthy brain and increasing its ability to develop a more fulfilling life.


Diane Keefe
Geriatric Care Manager
MA Geronotology

After watching the effect Alzheimer's had on my grandmother, it is comforting to find a guide that gives you help in making informed decisions about brain health and fitness.

I found the chapter on Brain Maintenance, the 4 Pillars, gave me a roadmap of what I can do to maintain good brain health. The Brain Training Software, Quick Picks chapter was extremely helpful by outlining a checklist to use when reviewing software. Additionally, the books software picks are segmented by purpose, with explanations, such as target age and brain function, which helps you find the software that best meets your goals.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in maintaining their brain function and fitness as they age.

Russ Hitzemann
Publisher
[...]

This is a very practical book.. no prose here; just first-hand reporting and summarization of the latest information from the brain fitness field.


- myths about brain health and brain products
- four pillars of mental health (nutrition, stress mgmt, physical exercise, mental exercise)
- categorization and description of brain fitness products and therapies
- decision making checklist for elderly care / assisted-living facilities considering brain training
- personal interviews with researchers, practicioners, and patients
- relevance of brain fitness to financial trading, athletic performance, driving


This book is densely packed with information.. my only complaint is that the bold fonts and sparse white space make for a somewhat visually intimidating experience when browsing the book. My eyes would like a bit of relief every few pages.

I still give it a five, because this is the first book I know of that presents a coherent overview of the brain fitness landscape.

"The Sharpbrains Guide To Brain Fitness" is a well-rounded yet concise introduction and reference for the science, application, and business of brain health and cognitive training. The authors state their goal as offering "research-based, relevant and up-to-date information and tools" about the science, products, and trends in cognitive health and training. They succeed by taking a fact-based approach. This unbiased focus is especially important for a technology like cognitive training which may offer hope to those suffering from or at risk for distressing disorders such as Alzheimer's, ADHD, stroke, and specific learning disabilities.
I found the following to be particularly useful:
- The organization of topics which flows from basic brain science through the ecosystem of stakeholders in the fledgling cognitive fitness industry.
- The strong set of references providing a guide to important research in the field, clearly organized by subject.
- The compendium of software products for cognitive training which gives a thoughtful snapshot of the companies and products that are shaping the early widespread applications of cognitive training science. Importantly, the authors clearly point out the level of clinical validation supporting each product.

I fully recommend this book.

Peter Wicher
San Mateo, CA

Thanks to Fernandez and Goldberg we now have a rock solid primer on brain health that we can recommend with confidence. While straightforward and easy-to-read, the material is evidence-based and thorough -- never "dumbed-down." I found it particularly effective to start the book with a list of ten brain myths that need debunking. We are constantly struggling against the pervasive ageist myths that cognitive decline is inevitable with age and that there is such as thing as a normal "brain age." The extensive interviews with top researchers supplement the text with valuable insight and perspective. And, as always, SharpBrains provides honest and objective analysis of industry-leading computer-based cognitive training programs.
- Michael C. Patterson, Co-founder and Principal, mindRAMP & Associates, LLC

This is the most comprehensive book I have seen on the emerging field of brain fitness. It explains how the brain works, what brain fitness is, who can benefit from brain fitness and evaluates some very specific programs that people can use to "exercise" their brains. Given our increasing lifespans, and desire to do mentally stimulating activities whether for leisure or pleasure at older ages, a book that underscores the importance of improving and maintaining our mental capabilities is very timely.

I particularly liked the balance in the book of explaining the science and background behind why brain fitness makes sense with the very practical evaluation of the tools that are available and the different brain functions that they improve. The book is also very accessible and understandable for a non-expert in brain science --- A very good overview of and introduction to the emerging brain fitness field.

Rohit Sakhuja --- Host Paradigm Shifts Radio Show

I am an older adult who attended a fascinating workshop several years ago led by Alvaro. I was impressed with him then and am still impressed. I read Alvaro Fernandez's book The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness with great interest. I want to keep my body, mind and spirit as sharp as possible. However, except for that one brief workshop, I knew nothing about the field of brain fitness. For instance, who are the players; what is the status of the research on brain fitness techniques; what, if any, products are available; which ones are apt to be the most effective? After reading this most readable book, I am encouraged by the frankness of the book and especially by the wise recognition of the four pillars of brain fitness. Now I feel as though I have a basic grasp on the state of the research and the products available in the fourth pillar. Read this excellent book to identify the other three!

In the Sharp Brains Guide to Brain Fitness, Alvaro Fernandez and Elkhonon Goldberg have teamed up to tackle a difficult subject - how to keep your brain sharp. By interviewing 18 scientists at the cutting edge of research, they have provided a state of the art capsule summary of what works best. As I lecture around the country, I am constantly being made aware of just how timely this information is. Based on the concepts they outline in the 4 Pillars of Brain Maintenance, they formulate nutritional guidelines, discuss stress management, explore physical exercise and the right type of mental stimulation to beneficially modulate neuroplasticity and brain reserve.

My favorite section was their in-depth review of the current array of "brain training" tools on the market. They talk about what works and what doesn't - from an insider's perspective. So whether there is a special need for enhancing attention and focus, or slowing the brain aging process, they let you know what works.

A must read for researchers and lay persons alike!

Larry McCleary, MD

Mr. Fernandez is arguably the most credible industry analyst and thought leader focused on this particular space. His analysis is thorough and objective, and he's does a terrific job to validate this area as a real, growing market to take note of. SharpBrains is quickly becoming the "Gartner of Brain Fitness," and this book is a terrific overview for those interested in working in this industry or gaining familiarity with the market landscape and the emerging players.