Media Highlights 2017
Teens and Their Phones: What You Should Know
Dec 28, 2017
“Another option is so-called ‘interval training’. For this, teens would spend 30 minutes doing homework without any disruption and then 30 minutes where they’re allowed to check their phones.” — Dr. Sandra Bond Chapman, Dee Wyly Distinguished University Chair and professor and founder and chief director at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences’ Center for BrainHealth.
The 6 Best Brain Foods To Eat As You Age
Dec 18, 2017
“Food has a powerful effect on our brains, especially as we age. “’However, we sometimes think the brain is a separate system from the rest of our body,’” says Dianna Purvis Jaffin, director of strategy and programs for the Brain Performance Institute at The University of Texas at Dallas.”
Were the Cuban ‘Sonic Attack’ Victims Actually Poisoned?
Dec 6, 2017
“If I were to list what is likely to have caused this attack, I’d start with a drug or some kind of toxin at the top of my list. Psychogenic would be second. And third—or even lower than third?-would be the use of a sound device.” — Dr. Edward Lobarinas, associate professor at the Callier Center for Communication Disorders.
NIH Awards Center For BrainHealth $2.5 Million to Investigate Cannabis Use Disorders
Nov 29, 2017
“Changes in legal climate warrant a better understanding of marijuana’s potential effects on the brain and risk factors that contribute towards a cannabis use disorder.” — Dr. Francesca Filbey, associate professor and program head, Cognition and Neuroscience, Bert Moore Chair in BrainHealth and director of cognitive neuroscience of addictive behaviors at the Center for BrainHealth.
One in Three U.S. Adults With Hearing Problems Don’t Seek Help
Nov 28, 2019
“If an individual is having trouble hearing speech or other important sounds, or is having trouble understanding speech in quiet or in noise, audiological testing — including word recognition and speech-in-noise assessment — should be sought.” — Dr. Colleen Le Prell, the Emilie and Phil Schepps Professor of Hearing Science and professor and program head of Audiology.
Cognitive Training Enhanced Innovative Thinking and Brain Networks in Older Adults
Nov 14, 2017
“Middle-age to older adults should feel empowered that, in many circumstances, they can reverse decline and improve innovative thinking.” — Dr. Sandra Bond Chapman, Dee Wyly Distinguished University Chair and professor and founder and chief director at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences’ Center for BrainHealth.
UTD Team Looking to New Weapon in Fight Against Addiction
Nov 13, 2017
“It’s a safe, effective drug for Type II Diabetes that could potentially be repurposed to help treat chronic pain.” — Dr. Theodore Price, associate professor of neuroscience at the School of Behavorial and Brain Sciences.
On Your Side: Spin Class Sound
Nov 7, 2017
“The highest dose you measured was 547%, that’s essentially an entire weeks worth of noise in one session.” — Dr. Colleen Le Prell, the Emilie and Phil Schepps Professor of Hearing Science and professor and program head of Audiology.
Brain Performance Institute, Mastermind Partner on Workshops, Seminars
Nov 7, 2017
The recently opened Brain Performance Institute announced it will begin a full schedule of brain health-focused workshops and seminars to the public in collaboration with Mastermind, the area’s first “gym for your brain.”
Training the Brain
Oct 30, 2017
“We’re interested in work that translates to learning, social engagement and work productivity. We’re looking at the bigger picture in terms of how you use your brain in everyday life.” — Lori Cook, director of clinical research at the Brain Performance Institute.
50 Surprising Things About Your Brain We Bet You Didn’t Know
Oct 26, 2017
“Science clearly reveals that the brain and our ‘smartness’ are anything but fixed. We continuously shape and rewire our brain by how we think. That’s one of the reasons you shouldn’t tell your child, You’re so smart.” — Dr. Sandra Bond Chapman, Dee Wyly Distinguished University Chair and professor and founder and chief director at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences’ Center for BrainHealth.
Loud Music May Not Lead to Permanent Ear Damage
Oct 25, 2017
“For the typical young person going to common recreational events, it suggests that they’re not the primary group that’s going to be at risk for damage.” — Dr. Colleen Le Prell, the Emilie and Phil Schepps Professor of Hearing Science and professor and program head of Audiology.
Innovative Spaces: Brain Performance Institute Derives Design Inspiration from Human Brain Itself
Oct 18, 2017
“The institute will help young people focus in school, retrain the minds of those affected by military experiences or sports injuries, strengthen mental acuity among corporate leadership, and empower each and every one of us to take charge of our own brains so that we can have healthier, stronger, more energetic brains today and in the future.” — Leanne Young, executive director of the Brain Performance Institute.
The Big Business Behind Why Dallas Researchers Want to Get Into Your Brain
Oct 18, 2017
“Most of the time, people don’t think about their brain until something goes wrong. We’re looking at how can we prevent somebody from ever having to worry.” — Leanne Young, executive director of the Brain Performance Institute.
‘Tone’ of Phrase May Differ in Autism, but Meaning is Clear
Oct 3, 2017
“I became interested in this because my team previously found that neurotypical people report being less inclined to interact with people who have autism after seeing videos of them or hearing recordings of them talking.” — Dr. Noah Sasson, assistant professor at the School of Behavorial and Brain Sciences.
Genre May Impact Cognitive Training Using Video Games
Oct 3, 2017
“Given the neural and cognitive correlates of strategy game learning, strategy games may provide a more beneficial training tool for adults suffering from memory-related disorders or declines in processing speed.” — Dr. Chandramallika Basak, assistant professor of psychology at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences’ Center for Vital Longevity.
Neuroscientists Focus on Cell Mechanism That Promotes Chronic Pain
Sep 8, 2017
“We found a key new signaling pathway that can be managed. Now we hope we can use the findings to discover a new drug.” — Dr. Theodore Price, associate professor of neuroscience at the School of Behavorial and Brain Sciences.
Camp Gives Families, Students Insights into Experiences of Teens With Hearing Loss
Sep 6, 2017
“We provide amplification sets for the normal-hearing siblings so they can try the wireless technology. And many of them say, I didn’t know it would sound like this.” — Dr. Linda Thibodeau, professor at the Callier Center for Communication Disorders.
The Amazing Fertility of the Older Mind
Aug 28, 2017
“The brain boost of taking up a new hobby may trump so-called “brain training” computer games and apps, with study after study finding that these programs fail to bring about meaningful benefits in real life.” — Dr. Denise C. Park, Distinguished University Chair in Behavioral and Brain Sciences and director of research at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences’ Center for Vital Longevity.
University of Texas at Dallas Startup Aims to Develop Non-Opioid Pain Relief Drugs
Aug 11, 2017
“Opioid abuse comes out of a desire that people have to make pain go away. And anybody that’s ever had pain for any period of time knows what that feels like. You want it to go away.” — Dr. Theodore Price, associate professor of neuroscience at the School of Behavorial and Brain Sciences.
Dallas Cops Learn to ‘Think Smarter, Not Harder’ Using Meditation, Mindfulness
Aug 1, 2017
“The Center’s SMART program helps participants sharpen their decision making by strengthening the part of the brain that deals with planning and reasoning.” — Jennifer Zientz, who heads the Center for BrainHealth’s clinical services.
UT Dallas Teaches Speech, Confidence at Listening Summer Camp
Jul 28, 2017
“The cochlear implant technology is amazing and it advances all the time. It allows them to hear the softest sounds and all of the sounds of speech that’s needed for a child to develop a spoken language.” — Melissa Sweeney, head of speech pathology at The University of Texas at Dallas.
Could a Zap to the Head be Dynamite for Your Brain Power?
Jul16, 2017
“The idea is, with learning bunches of words, we could use the very same mechanisms that are engaged when you look down and see a snake, or teeter on the edge of a cliff, or you’re fighting for your life.” — Dr. Michael Kilgard, Margaret Fonde Jonsson Chair and professor of neuroscience.
APOE4 Subtly Alters Brain Network Activity With Age
Jun 30, 2017
“We could not correlate age-related activation changes to amyloid load since we do not have the latter information on any of the young adults.” — Dr. Chris Foster, Dr. Karen Rodrigue, and Dr. Kristin Kennedy.
Strategic Brain Training Positively Affects Neural Connectivity for Individuals with TBI
May 23, 2017
“A TBI disrupts brain structure. These brain changes can interfere with brain network communication and the cognitive functions those networks support.” — Dr. Kiwan Han, research scientist at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences’ Center for BrainHealth.
Neuroscientists Seek Brain Basis of Craving in Addiction and Binge Eating
May 3, 2017
At the Center for BrainHealth, Dr. Xiaosi Gu and Dr. Francesca Filbey are taking a new approach to addiction research with a focus on quantifying craving in the brain.
US Military Bosses Reveal Radical Plan to Hack Soldier’s Brains to Give them Superhuman Capabilities
Apr 26, 2017
“Military personnel are required to utilize a wide variety of complex perceptual, motor, and cognitive skills under challenging conditions.” — Dr. Robert Rennaker, Texas Instruments Distinguished Chair in Bioengineering, professor of electrical engineering and professor of neuroscience.
Millions of Americans Risk Hearing Loss from Jobs and Guns
Apr 13, 2017
“Hearing loss can be prevented, with the consistent and correct use of hearing protection devices.” — Dr. Colleen Le Prell, the Emilie and Phil Schepps Professor of Hearing Science and Professor and program head of Audiology.
Strategy-Based Video Games May Improve Older Adults’ Brain Function
Mar 22, 2017
“If the target is to improve older adults’ cognitive control, reasoning, and higher-order cognitive skills, and stave off dementia and Alzheimer’s as long as possible, then maybe strategy games are the way to go.” – Dr. Chandramallika Basak, assistant professor of psychology at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences’ Center for Vital Longevity.
Cognitive Benefits of Chess
Mar 10, 2017
“I noticed that my son learned much about chess from just a week at UT Dallas’ summer chess camp. That intrigued me regarding how the rate at which children learn chess can relate to cognitive functions in children.” – Dr. Chandramallika Basak, assistant professor of psychology at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences’ Center for Vital Longevity.
Talking with Kids About Body Image
Mar 7, 2017
A professor at UT Dallas is studying the problem of children, adults, and excess weight and she’s reached some conclusions that parents should know about. – Dr. Shayla Holub, associate professor and program head, Psychological Sciences, Psychology and Child Learning and Development.
Nerve ’Zap’ Treatment May Speed Stroke Recovery
Mar 1, 2017
The study was funded by the VNS device’s manufacturer, MicroTransponder Inc., based in Texas, a partner company to the UT Dallas Texas Biomedical Device Center.
Protect Your Brain for Life: Follow These Expert Strategies
Feb 21, 2017
“We know what to do if you tear a ligament or break an ankle, but too many head injuries go ignored and untreated.” — Dr. Sandra Bond Chapman, Dee Wyly Distinguished University Chair and professor and founder and chief director at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences’ Center for BrainHealth.
UTD’s Resources Help Students with Autism Navigate College
Feb 20, 2017
“A huge problem is getting support for adults with autism because a lot of public services for kids with autism (are) tied to the school system.” — Dr. Noah Sasson, assistant professor at the School of Behavorial and Brain Sciences.
Xiaosi Gu, University of Texas at Dallas — Effects of Belief on Nicotine Cravings
Feb 8, 2017
“We expected the presence of nicotine to show some sort of craving response in the brain compared to conditions where individuals did not receive nicotine, but that was not what we found.” — Dr. Xiaosi Gu, assistant professor at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences’ Center for BrainHealth.
Cyber Bullying: What Your Kids May Not be Telling You
Feb 6, 2017
“It only has to happen once and it is incredibly hurtful. Because it’s public, it’s long lasting, the person can go back and revisit it and it is witnessed by the entire peer group.” — Dr. Marion Underwood, Ashbel Smith Professor, Dean of Graduate Studies and associate provost.
So, You’re Extremely Busy? Researchers Say You Likely Have Better Memory, Reasoning
Feb 1, 2017
“There’s a remarkable absence of work on the effects of busyness on cognition, even though everyone is always talking about how busy they are.” — Dr. Denise C. Park, Distinguished University Chair in Behavioral and Brain Sciences and director of research at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences’ Center for Vital Longevity.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation Holds Promise for Treating Addiction
Jan 24, 2017
“We are studying extinction learning and how vagus nerve stimulation can help subjects learn a new behavior that is opposed to an existing, maladaptive behavior like drug taking” — Dr. Sven Kroener, assistant professor at the School of Behavorial and Brain Sciences.
Yoga, Meditation Helping Students in South Dallas Schools
Jan 23, 2017
“Meditation and yoga change the areas of the brain that are involved in memory and attention and so, these are the areas that are developing the most in kids.” — Dr. Julia Evans, professor and neuroscientist at the Callier Center for Communication Disorders.
How To Actually Respond When People Say Bad Things About Their Bodies
Jan 17, 2017
“When we’re told at nearly every turn that we’re supposed to feel bad about our bodies, it can be hard not to internalize the negative noise around us.” — Dr. Shayla Holub, associate professor and program head, Psychological Sciences, Psychology BS and Child Learning and Development BS.
Father and Daughter Receive Matching Hearing Aids
Jan 5, 2017
“If your kid’s enrolled in soccer, you’re going to go to soccer. Your kid has piano lessons you’re going to do that too. So this kind of fits that mold.” — Dr. Kenneth Pugh, with the Callier Center for Communication Disorders.
Scientist Receives $2.7 Million DOD Grant for Research on Veterans with Chronic TBI
Jan 11, 2017
“Those who experience a traumatic brain injury often struggle with working memory, planning and cognitive control, which impacts real-life functionality.” — Dr. Daniel Krawczyk, Debbie and Jim Francis Chair and associate professor of cognitive neuroscience and cognitive psychology at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences’ Center for BrainHealth.
