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DynamicBrain Inc.
Monday March 27, 2023
New results from a study of brain training among people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show significant gains in clinical and cognitive measures. The brain training used in the research is found exclusively in BrainHQ app, made by Posit Science and provided in Canada by their Canadian partner DynamicBrain.
“These are exciting first results for BrainHQ in ASD, from independent investigators pioneering use of plasticity-based brain training” said Dr. Henry Mahncke, CEO of Posit Science. ”We expect these results should lead to further investigation of using this type of exercise in addressing ASD.”
This exploratory single-arm study enrolled a total of 25 adolescents and young adults (average age 17.4) diagnosed with ASD. Participants were asked to train on a set regimen of four auditory BrainHQ exercises and to complete 640 levels over the course of 12-16 weeks, (estimated to take 1.5 to 2 hours per week). The study was run by researchers at the University of Minnesota, during the Covid pandemic, and was largely conducted remotely.
Researchers found gains across the exercises and in pre/post-intervention assessments using standard clinical and cognitive measures. The gains in the exercises were associated with significant gains (p ≤ 0.05) in certain measures of cognition (fluency and motor) and in clinical measures of behavior (CASI-4R ADHD-Hyperactivity/Impulsivity and ADHD-Inattention). Other cognitive and clinical measures (digital coding and MEFS) showed trend level data (p ≤ 0.10).
“This study complements prior studies in adolescents and young adults with ADHD and Conduct Disorder,” Dr. Mahncke observed. “While our work began in helping much older adults, we have learned from hundreds of studies that BrainHQ can help people — of pretty much any age or condition — have better brains and better lives.”
There are more than more than 200 published studies of the exercises in BrainHQ which have shown benefits, including gains in standard measures of cognition (attention, speed, memory, executive function), in standard measures of quality of life (mood, confidence and control, managing stress, health-related quality of life) and in real world activities (gait, balance, driving, work). BrainHQ is now offered in the US, without charge, as a benefit by leading national and 5-star Medicare Advantage plans and by hundreds of clinics and communities. In Canada, it is offered by the Quebec Federation of Alzheimer Societies and numerous health institutions, rehab, hearing and vision centres. Consumers can also try BrainHQ for free at https://dynamicbrain.brainhq.com.
About Posit Science
Posit Science is the leading provider of clinically proven brain fitness training. Its exercises, available in Canada in English at dynamicbrain.brainhq.com and in French globally at dynamicbrain-fr.brainhq.com, have been shown to significantly improve brain speed, attention, memory and numerous standard measures of quality of life in multiple studies published in more than 200 peer-reviewed articles in leading science and medical journals. Three public television documentaries as well as numerous stories on news programs, in national magazines, and in major newspapers have featured Posit Science’s work. The company’s science team is led by renowned neuroscientist Michael Merzenich, PhD.
About DynamicBrain
DynamicBrain is the Canadian partner of Posit Science, providing Canadians and French-speaking people around the globe with brain training and cognitive exercises that are backed by strong science, and improve a person’s quality of life through six key pillars: Attention, Memory, Brain Speed, Navigation, People Skills, and Intelligence (dynamicbrain.brainhq.com and dynamicbrain-fr.brainhq.com). DynamicBrain is passionate about health and new forms of cognitive training with a clear focus on educating the public on the vital importance of improving brain fitness as part of a balanced, healthy lifestyle. (www.dynamicbrain.ca)
