Hey all, I'm new here. I keep hearing the word neuroplasticity come up – on TV, in forum threads, on NPR, etc. I understand the basic principle, that brain can change and rejuvenate itself, but has anyone else heard about how software apps are being used in this field? I know about brain games for nintendo systems, for example, but never really thought much of it.

Hi! There are lots of applications out there for brain training. But I think the best one for beginners IS Brain Age for the Nintendo DS. It's super fun to play all the little training games and Brain Age will track your progress too! Everything in one package. If you want more than do a quick search on google and there are lots of sites that work on a subscription basis where you sign up, take an assessment and then do recommended brain training and everything is recorded on the site for you.

Check them out. Good luck!

Actually, Nintendo BrainAge doesn’t have any scientific evidence to support their claims from what I can see, so I'd be reluctant to consider it an actual brain training program. I looked into several after PBS ran a special on neuroplasticity...it was on during December pledge drives. One of the guest physicians, Dr. Merzenich, created a company called Posit Science: they developed a computer-based brain fitness program that was proven effective by a recent clinical trial. That's a good example of a legitimate study that was conducted to discover the effects of brain training apps. The idea is that with the help of software-based exercises individuals can maintain, or improve, their cognitive abilities...although the PBS Special ran through a checklist of other activities that help, too. You can google "brain fitness program"; there's info everywhere regarding this online, given these recent developments.