We now have more than 1000 members! Pretty cool. Thank you all for joining.
Incidentally, we are planning to add 10 more tests. Should be ready soon.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Music and Memory
Alzheimer's Disease has more than its share of treatments that fall under the category of "it can't hurt" in that they may not help too much but they can't hurt either. Absent significant evidence to the contrary, I include brain games and exercises in this area.
But, something called "music therapy" does seem to help with some symptoms. It certainly sounds like fun. In my own life music is a kind of general therapy for everything, but that's another story.
Music stimulates the medial prefrontal cortex. Since this area of the brain seems less affected by Alzheimer's, stimulating it can lead to better alertness and improve mood. Petra Janata, a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of California Davis' Center for Mind and Brain, has found that certain tunes seem to bring back lost memories. It's as if an old movie can be replayed in one's mind by hearing the soundtrack. Dr Janta calls it a "mental movie".
The Institute for Music and Neurologic Function works with this concept and has suggested music lists and downloads. See their web site www.imnf.org for more information. I may come up with a suggested music list of my own, but just for my generation.
But, something called "music therapy" does seem to help with some symptoms. It certainly sounds like fun. In my own life music is a kind of general therapy for everything, but that's another story.
Music stimulates the medial prefrontal cortex. Since this area of the brain seems less affected by Alzheimer's, stimulating it can lead to better alertness and improve mood. Petra Janata, a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of California Davis' Center for Mind and Brain, has found that certain tunes seem to bring back lost memories. It's as if an old movie can be replayed in one's mind by hearing the soundtrack. Dr Janta calls it a "mental movie".
The Institute for Music and Neurologic Function works with this concept and has suggested music lists and downloads. See their web site www.imnf.org for more information. I may come up with a suggested music list of my own, but just for my generation.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Progress with the Academy
My friend and colleague Dr. Wesson Ashford and others have worked for years get this kind of endorsement (see below) from the medical establishment. So congratulations Wes!
"I am pleased to report the American Academy of Neurology has agreed to be listed as a supporter of National Memory Screening Day, per the proposal presented to us by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America."
Angela M. Babb
Media and Public Relations Manager
American Academy of Neurology
"I am pleased to report the American Academy of Neurology has agreed to be listed as a supporter of National Memory Screening Day, per the proposal presented to us by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America."
Angela M. Babb
Media and Public Relations Manager
American Academy of Neurology
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Health Reform and Screening
Cognitive screening is gradually rising in public and government consciousness as something that makes sense. It should be done annually after 65. And it should be under user control. This is why at Cogolog we are promoting a system that allows our users to share their data with their doctors when and if they wish to do so.
Anyway here is the quote from the proposal:
The Senate Finance Committee health reform proposal below reflects that awareness.
TITLE II—PROMOTING DISEASE PREVENTION AND WELLNESS
SUBTITLE A—MEDICARE
Annual Wellness Visit
Current Law
No provision.
Chairman’s Mark
Beginning in 2011, Medicare beneficiaries would have access to a comprehensive health risk assessment (HRA) based on guidelines developed by the Secretary in consultation with relevant groups and entities. The assessment would identify chronic diseases, modifiable risk factors, and emergency or urgent health needs. The assessment could be provided through an interactive telephonic or web-based program or during an encounter with a health professional. The Secretary would also set standards for the electronic tools that could be used to deliver the assessment.
Within six months of completing the comprehensive HRA, the Chairman‘s Mark would authorize Medicare payment for a visit to a primary care provider to create a personalized prevention plan. The plan would include the following elements: review and update of medical body mass index, and blood pressure); a schedule and referral for recommended, covered preventive services and immunizations; a strategy to address identified conditions and risk factors; a list of all medications currently prescribed and all providers regularly involved in the patient‘s care; and health advice and referral to Medicare-covered health education and preventive counseling or referral to community-based interventions to address modifiable risk factors such as weight, physical activity, smoking, and nutrition. Optional elements, if appropriate, could include a cognitive impairment screening and administration of or referral for appropriate Medicare-covered immunizations and screening tests, among others. After the first visit, the personalized prevention plan would be updated at each visit and health advice as well as other elements would be provided according the patients‘ needs.
All enrolled beneficiaries would be eligible for the wellness visit once every year. No co-payment or deductible would apply.
Anyway here is the quote from the proposal:
The Senate Finance Committee health reform proposal below reflects that awareness.
TITLE II—PROMOTING DISEASE PREVENTION AND WELLNESS
SUBTITLE A—MEDICARE
Annual Wellness Visit
Current Law
No provision.
Chairman’s Mark
Beginning in 2011, Medicare beneficiaries would have access to a comprehensive health risk assessment (HRA) based on guidelines developed by the Secretary in consultation with relevant groups and entities. The assessment would identify chronic diseases, modifiable risk factors, and emergency or urgent health needs. The assessment could be provided through an interactive telephonic or web-based program or during an encounter with a health professional. The Secretary would also set standards for the electronic tools that could be used to deliver the assessment.
Within six months of completing the comprehensive HRA, the Chairman‘s Mark would authorize Medicare payment for a visit to a primary care provider to create a personalized prevention plan. The plan would include the following elements: review and update of medical body mass index, and blood pressure); a schedule and referral for recommended, covered preventive services and immunizations; a strategy to address identified conditions and risk factors; a list of all medications currently prescribed and all providers regularly involved in the patient‘s care; and health advice and referral to Medicare-covered health education and preventive counseling or referral to community-based interventions to address modifiable risk factors such as weight, physical activity, smoking, and nutrition. Optional elements, if appropriate, could include a cognitive impairment screening and administration of or referral for appropriate Medicare-covered immunizations and screening tests, among others. After the first visit, the personalized prevention plan would be updated at each visit and health advice as well as other elements would be provided according the patients‘ needs.
All enrolled beneficiaries would be eligible for the wellness visit once every year. No co-payment or deductible would apply.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Up Again
Our apologies to all of our users for the down time we have experienced over the past weeks. This was a result of switching servers. We encountered a number of unexpected issues that hung up the service.
The transfer is now complete. No more down time!
Many thanks for your patience.
The transfer is now complete. No more down time!
Many thanks for your patience.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Conference
I am at the International Conference on Fatigue Management in Transportation Operations. Anneke Heitmann has just presented the results of our three year study of sleep deprivation and alertness testing. Audience interest and participation was very good. Our booth in the exhibits room has attracted numerous interested parties from a great many different industries.
We have three laptops set up continuously cycling through the BLT alertness test. Lots of fun.
We have three laptops set up continuously cycling through the BLT alertness test. Lots of fun.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Brain Busters
The web is a great place to test and exercise your brain. Remembering links, tabs and bookmarks takes memory capacity. Navigating each different site takes brain power.
You can even find sites designed just for this purpose. Our www.cogolog.com is one of those but with a difference. It's designed around the supposition that if the tests are not fun no one will use them.
You can even find sites designed just for this purpose. Our www.cogolog.com is one of those but with a difference. It's designed around the supposition that if the tests are not fun no one will use them.
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