Science: The Results

Memory

It can be a challenge to store and retrieve all the information we need to remember, even if it is just for a short period of time. One of the most important types of memory is known as working memory, which is used for temporarily storing and manipulating information. Working memory is critical in many cognitive processes including reasoning, problem solving and language.

Research presented at the Bay Area Neuroscience Gathering in San Francisco, CA shows that the Lumosity brain games improve working memory.

Working memory capacity of 23 individuals was tested before and after training.

Subjects who trained with several of the Lumosity brain exercises on a daily basis for 30 days improved on the memory exercises. More importantly, the trained subjects also improved on independent tests of working memory (p<.01, two-tailed t-Test), which were not part of the training, while the control group showed no change upon retesting.

For more details, download the white paper or view the scientific poster presentation.

Processing Speed

Processing speed determines how quickly one can perceive and interpret information, and then begin to act appropriately. Processing speed is considered by some to be a bottleneck to other cognitive processes, and it is therefore a focus of Lumosity training.

Lumosity brain exercises are designed to improve processing speed by challenging users to gradually increment the rate of other cognitive processes. For example, users who trained with our arithmetic exercise Raindrops for at least 10 sessions can solve math problems faster and more accurately (p<.001, two-tailed t-Test). Those that completed Word Bubbles at least 10 times improve at word-finding and are able to find more words in a given amount of time (p<.001, two-tailed t-Test).

Further investigations are currently underway to quantify the impact of the program on speed of processing, and to better understand how these increases in processing speed help us think and perform on a daily basis.

Attention

The ability to selectively concentrate on the most important information allows us to follow a conversation, drive safely, and efficiently attend to the task at hand.

Brain training with Lumosity was demonstrated to improve visual attention in a study first presented at the 2006 Society for Neuroscience conference in Atlanta, GA.

Visual attention was measured in intervention and control groups at the beginning and end of the experiment. Trained subjects completed an average of 33 five-minute sessions of Birdwatching, one of the Lumosity visual attention exercises.

Attention and perceptual accuracy improved significantly more in subjects who trained with Lumosity brain games than in those who did not train (p<0.01,>

For more details, download the white paper or view the scientific poster.

Cognitive Control

Cognitive control, also known as executive processing, refers to a set of high-level processes such as decision-making, planning, and suppressing inappropriate behavior. Cognitive control helps align thought and behavior with intentions.

Lumosity includes exercises developed to enhance cognitive control. The effective outcomes of these exercises are currently being studied. Preliminary results include a 9-second (16 percent) improvement on Trail Making, Part B, a common test of executive function, in subjects who trained for 30 days with a subset of the Lumosity exercises (p<0.05,>

More information about this research is available by downloading the poster that was presented at the Society for Neuroscience Conference in 2007.

Science behind brain training...

How Cognitive Training Works

"Neuroplasticity" refers to the physical changes that are continually taking place in your brain as you experience and adapt to the world around you. During every
3D Rendering of a Neuron day of your life, neurons and the connections between them change to encode information. By influencing this plasticity with the right activities, it is possible to train your brain to function better. Learning new things and challenging yourself frequently may promote more constructive neuroplasticity, and help prevent or off-set the negative effects of brain injury, Alzheimer’s disease, or aging.

The exercises in the Lumosity brain training program are designed to stimulate the neuroplasticity that leads to improved cognitive ability and a healthier brain.

Improving Cognitive Ability

Fundamental cognitive abilities – such as memory, attention and processing speed – can be improved with appropriate training.

The Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE) study, funded by NIH, demonstrated that older adults could improve their cognitive abilities with proper training, and that some of these gains were maintained several years later. In this experiment conducted by a number of researchers across the US, over 2800 adults aged 65-94 received training in memory, reasoning, or processing speed. After about 10 hours of training, each group improved significantly in the area that they trained. Even 5 years later subjects maintained many of their improvements.

Scientific Brain Games and Excercises

Brain games designed by scientists

The Lumosity brain games focus on training the mind in an interactive environment. These games and exercises are a fast, fun, and effective way to improve cognitive performance and brain health. The brain games are short and fit into a daily 10 minute session. Read about a selection of our games below.

Brain Game: Monster Garden

Monster Garden

Area of Cognition: Memory. Monster Garden improves your memory and attention with a spatial memory task. As your spatial and working memory improves, you will be able to navigate through progressively harder levels.

Working memory is closely correlated with general intelligence.

Brain Game: Word Bubbles

Word Bubbles

Area of Cognition: Processing Speed. Word Bubbles was designed to train and improve your processing speed and word-finding ability. The brain's speed of processing is an important factor determining how quickly a person can think, take in sensory information, or conduct other cognitive processes such as remembering or comprehending language.

Brain Game: Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Area of Cognition: Attention. Birdwatching improves attention and the ability to process visual information. These abilities are important in many everyday activities including driving and playing sports. The task gets progressively more challenging to accommodate your improvements in visual attention and processing speed.

Brain Game: Lost in Migration

Lost in Migration

Area of Cognition: Cognitive Control. Lost in Migration is designed to train and improve your cognitive control and reaction time. This task focuses on supressing your automatic - almost reflexive - responses, helping you stay focused on the greater goal.

Brain Training

Scientific brain exercises

The brain needs care just like the body

In a study funded by the National Institute of Health, scientists found that memory, reasoning and processing speed can be improved by brain training. Moreover, they found that cognitive improvements persisted for at least five years.

Lumosity is a scientifically designed brain training program

Visual Attention Exercise

Based on the concept of neuroplasticity - the brain's ability to learn and physically adapt given appropriate stimuli - brain games and exercises are engineered to train and improve:

• memory
• attention
• processing speed
• cognitive control

Improves memory and attention

Lumosity brain training program has been shown to improve memory and attention in randomized, controlled clinical trials.

Designed by leading scientists

The development and testing of Lumosity was guided by some of the leading scientists in neuroscience, cognitive psychology and bioinformatics.

Lumosity

Brain Games

Benefits of Brain Exercises

Brain games to improve memory and attention

Did you know that the human brain starts slowing down as early as age 30? The good news is that you can speed it up, and improve even your most basic cognitive abilities at any age. Keep your brain performing at its best with Lumosity, a brain training program consisting of engaging brain games and exercises developed by some of the leading neuroscientists in the country.

Lumosity users have experienced:

* Clearer and quicker thinking
* Improved memory for names, numbers, directions, etc.
* Increased alertness and awareness
* Elevated mood
* Better concentration at work or while driving

SO YOU BETTER DOWNLOAD THE GAMES KIT NOW! THIS IS A LIMITED TIME OFFER.