Development and research is carried out by our team in Berlin with partners from Australia to Canada.

Already in 2013, NeuroNation was awarded the Leonardo Prize by the German Federal Ministry of Health and the AOK. . NeuroNation received the prize for its contribution to the advancement of the cognitive abilities and mental health indicators of its users.

Your brain is adaptable

While brain training is a very modern topic, physical fitness is already highly regarded in our society. For a long time now, there have been fitness studios aimed at people of all ages. It is a general consensus that physical exercise leads to a healthier, longer, and more fulfilling life. However, the situation is somewhat different with mental training. How to achieve optimal training here is the subject of current research. According to current knowledge, the brain reaches its highest level of comprehension and performance at the age of 16-25. From this age, mental fitness decreases. The good news is that you can actually do something to keep yourself fit because your brain is adaptable. Scientifically speaking, this adaptability is called “neuroplasticity”.

Targeting the right areas of the brain

Games and puzzles like Sudoku or crossword puzzles offer a simple way to stay mentally fit. But science already knows far more effective methods to increase mental fitness.
Modern brain training does not only activate a certain part of the brain like a crossword puzzle but many different areas, such as memory or attention. This can not only lead to a general improvement in performance in exercises, but also in everyday life. These so-called “transfer effects” can usually only be achieved with an adaptive and thoroughly developed training plan. The exercises of NeuroNation are based on the current state of research.

Personalized training

There are a number of points that good brain training must include in order to improve your everyday performance in the long term: Above all, your brain must neither be over- nor under-challenged, since in both cases your training success will fail. Thus, all NeuroNation exercises always begin simple and develop towards a higher complexity after a series of correct results. Maximum effectiveness is only achieved if you train at your personal performance limit. That is why the training is designed to start each day at your current appropriate level.

Frequency is key

As with any form of practice, consistency and continuity are the keys to success in the brain and mental training. “A rolling stone gathers no moss” is a well-known saying. That is why NeuroNation offers a large number of playful exercises. This variety is also important from a scientific point of view: If you constantly solve the same tasks (e.g. Sudoku), you will learn to perform them quickly but will strain your brain less and less over time.

In order for the brain to restructure itself, it constantly needs new challenges. And for additional motivation, you can even train together with friends or family. Brain training is suitable for people of almost any age.

Our effectiveness

A long-term study by MSH Medical School Hamburg and the University of Würzburg has shown that NeuroNation exercises performed from home, without instruction and supervision, are effective.

The researchers recruited participants via the internet and newspaper advertisements to a training study, in which the participants were to train on various NeuroNation exercises from the comfort of their own homes. The participants were divided into two groups: the training group practiced on NeuroNation memory exercises, whereas the control group practiced verbal knowledge. Altogether over 170 participants finished the study.

After only 21 training sessions, the training group improved memory and also other cognitive functions, such as processing speed.

Even more exciting are the everyday-life results. The training group also reported significantly less cognitive failures, like forgetting appointments, forgetting names, getting easily distracted, and difficulties in making decisions.

Leading scientist Prof. Dr. Tilo Strobach commented on the results:

“Since the participants were randomly assigned to the training and control groups, and since we also made sure that the performances of both groups were equal before training, we can conclude that the performance differences after training can be attributed to the training intervention.”

Our scientific partnerships

Cooperation with Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (Germany)

Chemotherapy patients often complain about cognitive impairments after their treatment. Neuropsychological studies have confirmed this problem. NeuroNation is cooperating with the Clinic for Neurology at Charité – Universitätsmedizin in Berlin to study whether chemotherapy-related cognitive impairments can be reduced with brain training exercises from NeuroNation.

Study with Goethe University Frankfurt (Germany)

What effect does training various cognitive skills have on school performance in elementary school students? And which role do motivational factors play in the success of the training? In a study with Goethe University, researchers are studying whether a four-week training program with 21 training sessions involving working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility tasks can improve children’s reading and math performance. Using playful elements such as a cover story, the effect of motivation on training and transfer success is also being studied.

Scientific study with the MSH Medical School Hamburg (Germany)

Brain training’s influence on various cognitive skills is currently being studied in collaboration with the MSH Medical School Hamburg under the direction of Professor Strobach. Further details will be released after the study is completed.

Study with Queen’s University (Canada)

Schizophrenia is a complex illness that can manifest in both positive and negative symptoms. For effective treatment, it is essential to understand which techniques and strategies will be most effective for patients. Scientists in the Centre for Neuroscience Studies and the Department of Psychology at Queen’s University in Canada are carrying out a study to determine how brain training should be implemented to create changes in EEG patterns. Patients with schizophrenia display typical EEG patterns when performing certain cognitive tasks. The study is researching whether it is more effective if training is carried out in multiple 2-minute sessions or as a single 10-minute session.

Study with University Hospital Cologne (Germany)

Parkinson’s disease is often accompanied by cognitive decline. In a study done in cooperation with the University Hospital in Cologne, patients who had not yet experienced any cognitive deficits received intense working memory training over the course of 5 weeks. The training aimed to stabilize their cognitive abilities in the long-term.

Study with Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences (Germany)

Demographic change and digitalization both mean that older professionals experience ever-greater cognitive challenges. Do older participants benefit from cognitive training in the same way that younger participants do? Are there differences in the types of tasks, or correlations to working time? In collaboration with students from Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Dr. Gerrit Hirschfeld, professor of quantitative methods, is attempting to answer these questions using selected data from the NeuroNation program.

Study with the University of Prague (Czech Republic)

A study conducted in collaboration with the University of Prague is trying to find out to what extent brain training can make a positive contribution to the treatment of anorexia nervosa. Anorexia is a psychiatric disorder that is characterized by a disturbed relationship to food consumption. In recent years, scientists’ interest has begun to focus on the neuronal roots of the illness. The study is being carried out in the Santa Corona Hospital in Pietra Ligure (Italy).

Study with Bielefeld University (Germany)

Ming-Yang (M.Sc.) is a doctoral student at Bielefeld University and is studying attention span in athletes. The scientist is particularly interested in finding out to what extent the attention spans of professional and amateur athletes differ. NeuroNation training is being used to observe these differences.

Study with the University of Applied Sciences in Bochum (Germany)

What effect does computer-based verbal fluency training have on verbal and executive function in the elderly? Bianca Spelter, a speech therapy student at the University of Applied Sciences in Bochum is investigating this question for her bachelor’s thesis using selected exercises from the NeuroNation program. Her work is being supervised by Prof. Dr. Sascha Sommer, dean of the applied health sciences department, whose work focuses on cognitive neuropsychology. Details.

Scientific study with the Hertie Institute in Tübingen (Germany)

What can people living with Parkinson’s disease achieve with brain training? This question is being researched by the working group for clinical neurodegeneration at the Hertie Institute in Tübingen under the direction of Prof. Dr. Berg. Alongside physical exercise, regular cognitive training is carried out using the NeuroNation app.

Scientific cooperation with a neurological therapy center

What type of brain training is most helpful for patients with neurological disorders or those who have suffered a stroke? Under the guidance of Doctor Wolfgang Klein, who is researching technological solutions as a part of neurorehabilitation within the scope of the EU project Rehab@Home, NeuroNation is exploring some innovative new approaches.

Rehabilitational use in cooperation with a health insurance provider

The health insurance provider Deutsche BKK makes it possible for their customers to use NeuroNation training in the course of their rehabilitation. Brain training plays an important role in rehabilitation after a stroke. Effectiveness is evaluated using tests before and after the training takes place.

Maintenance and improvement of cognitive fitness in the elderly

Studies show the importance of regular mental activity in advanced age. For this reason, the Bremer Heimstiftung, a foundation for seniors, makes use of the NeuroNation app in its nursing homes. Initial results show that brain training is extremely popular.

Scientific studies on working memory training

What effect does regular cognitive training with NeuroNation have on working memory? The division of experimental psychology and neuropsychology, under the direction of Professor Niedeggen, is attempting to answer this question. The results show that visual working memory, in particular, improved significantly.

Matriculation project on the effectiveness of brain training

In her matriculation project, high school student Ladina Meier of Bündner Kantonschule Chur compared the effectiveness of various types of brain training. She was supervised by Marcel Liechti. The results demonstrated the superiority of NeuroNation’s training.

The result: The kids’ attention span improved immediately after the session and showed significant lasting improvements in the overall performance after a 4-month training course.

Is brain training better than tutoring?

Over the course of four months, 200 participants performed a brain-training course three times a week. The results are promising: compared to an untrained control group, the children significantly improved their performance at school material. The scientists explain this finding with the Priming Effect.

In psychology, Priming is the activation of associations based on previous experience. In solving brain-training tasks, the kids reached a higher degree of concentration and were able to directly learn and retain new information.

Remarkable is the lasting effect of the brain boost. The analyzed effect is more significant compared to studies, which examined the impact of tutoring. These findings may indicate that brain training can improve children’s learning ability even better than tutoring.

Warm up the brain and stay on top

Learning from the study: Warm up your brain before cognitive tasks. In just 5 minutes, brain training prepares our brain for upcoming tasks and improves performance. Feel the study-proven effect and get your brain to the right temperature with NeuroNation brain training.

After training, participants showed improvements in both NeuroNation exercises used in training, as well as in tests that evaluated their working memory. The study demonstrated that improvements in cognitive performance – when training with NeuroNation – are transferable. This means that NeuroNation members can expect to experience their brain training benefits in other parts of their everyday lives as well, while training their brain with us [1].

NeuroNation has developed a course based on the collaboration with the Free University Berlin called MemoWork – which you can now find on our website.

What is working memory?

Your working memory is responsible for remembering and processing information. This is why it is so important in your everyday life – not only to remember our schedule and commitments, but also to solve complex problems quickly. Difficulties with your working memory become apparent when for example you tend to forget things you intended to remember. Or when you have to read a page three times to understand the content; forget what you came to the supermarket for; or daydream when you need to concentrate. As you can see, working memory is extremely important in your everyday life, so make sure to keep it active!

A stronger working memory saves you time and heartache. It helps you at school, at work, and on a day-to-day basis.

So more about the study…

The four week study was conducted with almost 30 participants who were divided into two groups; one trained their working memory using personalized NeuroNation brain training exercises which were designed to become more difficult and intense during training. The other group (the active control group) trained with exercises designed to strengthen the memory but not to improve working memory. This active control group trained with mnemonics exercises. Mnemonics are memory techniques which help people to remember information that would otherwise be difficult to recall. A well known mnemonic is the ’30days hath September’ song, often taught in schools to help young children remember how many days there are in each month. Other techniques involve for example simple memory games based on pattern recognition.

All participants regularly met in groups and discussed what the training and the exercises were about, and received tips on how to improve their performance.

By having the active control group train with memory techniques, researchers were able to see if these exercises also improved working memory performance, and whether learning memory techniques could be an alternative to computerized working memory training. Furthermore, researchers wanted to find out whether the Mnemonics group was better at long-term memory.

Before and after the four week training, participants were assessed using standardized neuropsychological tests.

What were the results?

The study showed that the experimental working memory group, those who trained their working memory with NeuroNation, was significantly better at mastering the untrained tests that challenged working memory at the end of the four weeks than the control group who trained with memory techniques.

In essence: memory techniques won’t help you get a better working memory, but you will see improvements using NeuroNation brain training.

Yet again: NeuroNation is shown to be effective

And NeuroNation doesn’t only help your memory. Studies show that brain training has transferrable benefits to other areas of your life, such as multi-tasking and remembering large volumes of information. 

MemoWork: The training for the study

Want the same results? We used the findings from this study to develop the ‘MemoWork’ course, which you can find on the NeuroNation website. Each of the exercises making up the course was based on the study described above, to provide you with the best possible training, and transferable benefits to your work and everyday life. ‘MemoWork’ is just one of many courses which we offer, based on the latest findings in Neuroscience and Cognitive Psychology. So give it a go today – and experience the difference it makes!

Scientists are still figuring out many new things about the brain and how to improve our memory. We do know that a lot of people struggle to remember things, and in many different ways. Perhaps you’re forgetting appointments or answering your emails, or picking up the dry cleaning on your way home. Let’s take a look at what’s really going on in your brain, and see what memory games can help you train your brain to be a little better at remembering faces and names.

Fun Name Memory Game

A great way to break the ice is a fun name memory game in which a group has the chance to remember the names of all participants.

For the name memory game, the first person says their name and their favourite thing. The second person has to repeat the name and the thing of player one, and adds their name and favourite thing too. This continues and adds up until a player misses someone’s name or thing.

Through this memory game, people can learn the names of all players and also discover a bit about their interests, which helps with remembering and promotes social interaction.

Why you remember what you remember

According to a study from MIT, what you remember depends on how meaningful that memory is to you and if you can connect it to other knowledge or other memories [1]. If you can make a relation between a memory and something else, there is a larger chance that you will remember it later on. Like learning, memory is all about context.
That is why pattern recognition is so important. Essentially, the more connections a new memory has to memories which already exist, the more likely you will remember that information. The same goes for making new memories.

Memory games can help you

Many people have trouble remembering faces or names. Have you ever gone to a really important meeting and couldn’t remember someone’s name there? Or introduced two friends at a party and referred to one as a ‘he’ instead of saying their name? Remembering a person’s name is flattering and people appreciate it when you do, and that is why it is so important that you make up memory games to make sure that your memory will not fail.

Try to find an unusual feature – ears, hairline, forehead, eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth, chin, complexion, etc. and then create an association between that characteristic, the face, and the name in your mind. The association might link that person to someone else you know. Alternatively you could find a rhyme or image that fits with the name or the person’s appearance.

When you are first introduced to someone new, ask the other person to repeat their name or find a way to see it written. A business card, or adding the person on Facebook or LinkedIn always helps to improve the memory, especially if the technique involves using visual memory. If the name is unusual, you can be fairly sure they get asked by many people for more details on their names origin and spelling. Keep in mind that the more often you hear and see the name, the more likely it will sink in. After you say goodbye, review the name in your mind several times or write it down on a piece of paper. This will help you improve your memory, getting you ready for the next time you meet, so you will smile with relief when their name comes out of your mouth correctly.

Next steps

This memory game is both simple and beneficial.

If you actually want a real challenge for your memory, try NeuroNation’s “Path Finder”. This memory game is based on an exercise created by Professor Joni Homes of Cambridge University. The aim of this exercise is to go over your steps, record the information in the short memory and then recall back the steps taken. This exercise, together with other brain games of NeuroNation, will train your ability to recall back information from the short memory, like the names of people you just met. Remembering a new acquaintance’s name can earn you many points when it comes to business deals and establishing new friendships, so try these tips together with the Neuronation brain exercises today and see how they help you improve your memory.

Unfortunately, any kind of training can only be successful if done on a regular basis. Which is why we thought we’d give you a hand in overcoming your inner laziness and help you make brain training part of your everyday routine – while still enjoying it! Over the years we have done a great deal of research and have documented a lot of our member’s experiences they have shared with us. Here are our 7 findings:

1. Set realistic goals

Studies have shown that setting goals for yourself will help you achieve more. Your goals should be challenging but still reachable. This is because if your goals are not accomplished, you will feel frustrated and be more inclined to give up altogether. Being a premium member here at NeuroNation will give you full access to all of our courses which are specifically designed to give you the right amount of brain training every day – tailored to your personal needs. Our brain training is challenging but fun, making it enjoyable to follow through with it. All you have to do is log on and start the training, we’ll take care of the rest.

2. Develop a routine

We are creatures of habit. As such, we need to make something part of our routine in order to stick to it. Think about what time of day is the most enjoyable for you to do your brain training session. Are you usually motivated in the morning when your brain is fresh and excited for the day or does your brain enjoy a little afternoon boost to refuel itself for the rest of the day? Whatever time you prefer most, our brain exercises are always here to boost your brain and make you feel great. We at NeuroNation will make sure you’re in good hands.

3. Combine your routines

Researchers have found that the easiest way to make something part of your daily routine is to link it to an activity that is already part of your routine. That way, every time you do something that is already a habit of yours, you will automatically think of doing your new habit as well. If you like reading the paper at breakfast, try putting your smartphone or tablet right next to you so that you can move on to doing your brain training session as soon as you have finished reading the paper.

4. Be kind to yourself

Every year, we tell ourselves this year will be different – we will make much better decisions, be smarter, healthier, more active and so on – only to be frustrated by February when we realize we have broken every one of our resolutions. But don’t worry, a failed resolution is no reason to panic! After all, a New Year’s resolution cannot simply erase all our experiences, memories, and choices that made us who we are – with all our little quirks and habits. So be kind to yourself and don’t freak out next time you don’t achieve a goal you set yourself – it happens to the best of us! Setbacks are part of the deal and they are here to motivate us to try harder next time.

5. The early bird catches the worm

If you’re a night person, go ahead and skip this one. The rest of us however will be happy to know that our self control – our ability to fight impulses such as not eating the chocolate bar we crave (and opt for the apple instead) – is strongest in the morning before it gradually decreases throughout the day. Our self control works like a battery that slowly but steadily loses its power until it has to be recharged again (usually at night when we sleep). So by the time we go to sleep, we have had to fight all kinds of impulses during the day and our self control is exhausted.

6. Simplify your life

Even if brain training has become part of your daily routine, there are those days when hitting the snooze button seems much more tempting than doing your daily training. Don’t stress yourself if you’re having a lazy day.With NeuroNation you can catch up on any missed training whenever you want to, wherever you are. Missed your daily morning training? Simply make up for it on the train on your way to work – NeuroNation brain training can be done on our app or website – wherever you are!

7. It’s the little things that count

And sometimes, there are those days when even the thought of any training makes us cringe. If you ever feel like brain training is the last thing on your mind, how about doing only one exercise instead of an entire session? This way you will not break your brain training routine but won’t spend much time doing something you’re not in the mood for. After all, our brain training is supposed to be fun and enjoyable.

No pain, no gain – this is true for brain training as well. But NeuroNation works hard at making sure our brain training benefits and challenges your brain while still entertaining you. We are always looking for new ways to integrate brain training into our daily routine. If you have any techniques you follow and would like to share with us, email us at info@neuronation.com. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!

It is well known that physical exercise leads to a longer and happier life. So what about exercise for your brain? According to the latest findings in Neuroscience, your brain reaches its peak performance at 16-25 years, and thereafter cognitive functioning declines [1]. For most of us, these are not so great news. But the better news is that no matter how old you are or what your profession is, science shows that training with brain exercises can in fact benefit you. The key to success? Specifically tailored courses to meet your personal needs. Which is where we come in.

Personalized brain exercises

People often try to keep their brains active using Sudoku or crosswords. And while these are certainly all fun and games, they are unfortunately not very effective in training your brain. Science has come up with a far better way to stay mentally active: personalized brain exercises!

NeuroNation targets and challenges your memory, logic, attention, and verbal skills through a variety of brain exercises based on scientific research. With time you will get better at the exercises, which will positively affect your everyday life, as demonstrated by Dr. Sherry Willis, Professor at the University of Texas [2]. Willis found that with brain training, individuals became more efficient at performing everyday tasks of varying complexity – from writing a shopping list to operating technical equipment. She also reported that their memory improved and the enhancements lasted up to five years following the workout.

Brain training benefits everyone

But the best part is that brain training is for everyone. Recently, the extensive COGITO Study at the Max-Planck Institute demonstrated that training with brain exercises improves working memory for people of all age groups [3]. In total,101 young adults aged 21-30 years and 103 older adults aged 65-80 years participated in the study. Both groups underwent a total of 100 hours of training with brain exercises, focusing on working memory, processing speed and memory. Another study revealed that brain training can benefit your brain even after the first few signs of dementia have set in. Dr. Sylvie Belleville, Professor at the University Institute of Gériatrie de Montréal, has studied brain exercises as a preventative measure for the onset of Alzheimers Disease [4]. Belleville and her colleagues discovered that training with brain games can improve the memory of people with mild cognitive impairments, including those showing the first signs of dementia. These studies and others clearly suggest that your brain is trainable, if the training is tailored to your individual needs.

Ingredients for an effective brain training

There are a number of characteristics which make brain training effective. NeuroNation has incorporated all of them into the courses we design for you.

1. Personalized

When you sign up for NeuroNation, we ask you to take a test to assess your performance so we can personalize your training and make it unique for you. Studies have shown that in the beginning, you should be reasonably challenged but not overwhelmed by the brain exercises. Maximum results can only be achieved when you work at your personal best – so we tailor our course to fit you.

2. Goal specific

Each brain exercise NeuroNation offers is designed to target the specific brain functions you need in your everyday life. We will provide you with exercises that meet exactly these goals. With NeuroNation, your brain will be fit in no time!

3. Motivating

As with anything in life, practice makes perfect – the more you train, the better you become. We therefore recommend daily training sessions with our brain exercises of around 15 minutes. Motivation is the magic word here. Try getting your friends and family to join you and see who gets the higher score. Having someone to train with will make it that much more motivating. Brain training is beneficial for all ages, so anyone can join you – and a little bit of competition never hurt anyone.

4. Challenging

Studies have shown that if a task does not increase in difficulty, your brain will become bored and start to automatise the process. So after a while, you will not be challenged anymore. The more you play Sudoku, the better you get, but your brain is no longer challenged once you get good at it. This is because the brain restructures itself – mastering a challenge and automatising it to be ready for the next one. Although this is great for tasks we have to do on a regular basis, such as driving a car or riding a bike, your brain needs new challenges to stay fit. The level of our brain exercises increases with each game you play, to keep your brain challenged at all times and working at its peak performance.

Conclusion: Your brain can be trained

Intelligence is not a fixed characteristic that you are simply born with. Here at NeuroNation, we work hard to keep your brain on its toes, to ensure that you can reach your fullest potential. Whether you want to improve your memory, become more intelligent or have a better attention span – we are here to help you. Give it a go and start training with us today.

Clinical depression is more than just a temporary feeling of sadness, which we all experience from time to time. It is a serious condition that impacts all aspects of our everyday functioning – including eating, sleeping, working, the quality of our relationships, and the way we feel about ourselves. 

It is estimated that 16.6% of the U.S. population suffer from depression. Indirect consequences range from a lack of motivation and a higher vulnerability to a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, it is estimated that depression costs the U.S. government 83 billion dollars each year due to absenteeism. So far, no scientifically proven treatment exists, and as the rates continue to rise, doctors and researchers are trying to find alternative therapies to combat depression.

Antidepressants

In recent years, much controversy has surrounded the treatment of depression with antidepressants. A review of studies on the effects of antidepressants conducted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that publications published in the last few years have favoured the positive effects of antidepressants rather than demonstrating their negative or null effects [1].

This means that many researchers, study participants, health care professionals and patients have been led to – perhaps falsely – believe that antidepressants do work, when evidence suggesting the contrary exists but has not been published. Most patients taking antidepressants either don’t respond at all or only partially to the treatment. In fact, success is considered at just a 50 percent improvement rate in half of depressive symptoms.

Cognitive Training Can Help

A recent unpublished meta-analysis ran by ProfessorJoel Sneed and his team in New York looked at the effects of brain training in the treatment of depression [2]. Depression often becomes apparent through the appearance of cognitive impairments such as problems with working memory, verbal fluency, processing speed, or attention.

The researchers were able to show that brain training not only led to improvements in the patient’s mental functioning, but also had positive effects on their mood. In general, the patients found it less hard to function in their everyday life after having used brain training. However, it should be noted that in these studies, brain training was often complementary to other therapies. But an essential part of the patient’s improved well-being was provably a consequence of brain training.

These results are great news as brain training is a less expensive – compared to other treatments – method to combat depression, and is noninvasive, and available everywhere. Furthermore, training can be carried out in the comfort of a patient’s own home and there are no side effects, unlike with the use of antidepressants. 

Future studies are needed to examine the exact effects, but indicators for brain training as part of a positive treatment for depression already exist.

Games for your brain are a fun way of challenging yourself mentally. Regular training with brain games will keep your brain at its highest level and boost your cognitive performance to its maximum.

Many people fear becoming slower thinkers, more forgetful, and less attentive as they age. From MRI scans, we know that our brain substance, consisting of white and grey matter, may begin to shrink before the age of 30 [1]. This has direct effects on our own thinking, noticeable in logical tasks, remembering, and concentrating – unless you take action.

You can influence this decline! Biologically, the brain is capable of forming new nerve cells and synapses into old age [2]. Brain training demonstrably stimulates the growth of white and grey brain matter [3]. The more it grows, the stronger the improvement in mental performance [4].

Unfortunately, the best training doesn’t do you any good, if you don’t do it regularly. But with any training that challenges you, it is quite hard to stay consistent if you’re not having fun with it.

The same is true for brain training: we will only keep up training regularly with exercises we enjoy.

Motivating games can fuel your brain

That’s why NeuroNation has designed challenging and logic games for your brain that will keep you motivated. They’re called ‘games’ for a reason: while their goal is to improve your cognitive functions and performance, they are still playful, fun and engaging. Our brain games particularly target your working memory, which is extremely important for your daily functioning. Scientists regard working memory as the fundamental basis of all our thinking, learning and problem-solving. We need working memory in order to understand complex topics, solve problems, and store new information. Dr. Sherry Willis, Professor at the University of Texas [5], found that by training with brain games, individuals became more efficient at performing their everyday tasks of different complexity.

But our brain games also challenge your memory, logic, attention, and verbal skills through a variety of brain exercises based on scientific research.

Another advantage of brain games is that their cognitive benefits can be felt long into old age. According to a study in Neuroscience, published in Psychological Medicine [6], adults who engage in regular mental stimulation are 46% less likely to develop dementia than those who aren’t mentally active,

Dr. Karen Li, head of Concordia University’s laboratory for adult development and cognitive aging, recommends that adults try brain games they find motivating such as logic exercises, puzzle games or crosswords, as a way for an effective brain boost to enhance their cognitive performance.

NeuroNation brain games help you in daily life

Our brain games consist of five categories that all challenge different parts of your brain:

Numeracy

The category ‘Numeracy’ trains your algebraic skills. Its exercises are extremely useful for your everyday dealing with numbers. They not only improve your math skills but also strengthen your problem-solving and logical thinking abilities. For example, the exercise ‘Chain Reaction’ asks you to perform mental calculations quickly, memorize the result and quickly apply it to the next equation in the chain. The goal is to continue the chain for as long as possible.

(Please note: before playing the games, you will be required to answer a few questions in order to create the best suitable workout for you)

Language

In this category, your verbal fluency and your articulation are being trained. Because of the ever-changing requirements, this category also tests your working memory, your multitasking abilities, and your visual tracking. In the exercise ‘Password’, you are shown a series of letters, which you have to form as many words as possible out of. Here, your vocabulary and your verbal articulation are tested.

Reasoning

The ‘Reasoning’ category trains your ability to recognize patterns, meaning the relationship of one object to a group of other objects. We constantly have to recognize patterns in our everyday life in order to form logical conclusions and solve problems. This category really challenges your logical thinking, but also your  concentration and processing capacities. In the exercise ‘Solitaria’ you need to quickly recognize patterns, and identify the one object that is different to all the others.

Memory

This is the category that focuses on your working memory. You need working memory to remember information and keep several information simultaneously at your disposal. A well-trained working memory means a better attention span, and the ability to resist temptations. It also influences your IQ. The exercise ‘Memobox’ requires you to remember the amount of colored balls going in and out of several different boxes. Focus, memory, and processing capacities are key here.

Perception

‘Perception’ is designed to train your sensory acuity. This makes you process information faster, and react quickly to changing situations. Your attention and multitasking skills are particularly trained in this category. ‘Color Craze’ is a challenging exercise that gives you more control over automatic actions of yours. You have to either click on a color or a symbol, depending on what is being sought. The exercise is designed to work against your impulses, so you will train your ability to resist your impulses.

Brain games: the best way to challenge your brain

Our brain is an amazing organ. In a time of constant information overload, taking care of your brain health is more important than ever. Instead of traditional brain games like puzzles, solitaire, crossword puzzles or board games, challenge yourself with NeuroNation brain games as a playful and fun alternative that is based on Neuroscience. Let our games give your brain a boost and help you stay mentally fit and healthy.

Researchers used to believe only skills such as processing speed could be trained through brain training. The counterargument to this assumptiom comes from researchers at the University of Michigan who set out to examine the question:

Is it possible to improve our IQ?

Dr. Susanne Jaeggi and her team all agree: Our intelligence can be trained! [1] They delivered the counterevidence to previous scientific hypotheses. Their examinations were based on the challenging but effective exercise named dual n-back. This exercise helps us to train our working memory, which positively influences our fluid intelligence. The fluid intelligence is part of our general intelligence. The following of our skills are operated by our fluid intelligence:

• solve complex/abstract problems
• logical reasoning
• learning new things
• recognition of patterns
• adapting to situations

The experiment

About 70 grown-ups participated in the dual n-back study. At first, they had to complete a pre-test (IQ-test) in order to measure their fluid intelligence. This pre-test is very suitable for measuring fluid intelligence as most standardised IQ tests are designed to determine it. In order to draw comparative conclusions, there was a group that did not follow through with any training, while another group trained with this exercise for 8 to 19 days.

The results

After the training, the participants’ intelligence was once again tested. The results were surprisingly positive. Not only did the group that had been training achieve better results in the intelligence test than the group that hadn’t been training, the results also showed that those that had been training for a longer period of time accomplished better results than those that had only been training for a short amount of time. Thus, the increase of fluid intelligence depends on how long of a time span a person trains for. More training days led to a more distinctive IQ increase.

The fact that fluid intelligence can be improved has been supported by numerous follow-up studies, e.g. a large-scale brain training study at the Max-Planck-Institute for Human Development.

The n-back training concept offers great potential for the improvement of brain performance in all areas of our life – whether it is at school, at work, and in our everyday life.

The training based on the study

The NeuroNation team has developed training courses that are based on the dual n-back courses of the experiment. These training courses are great for training regularly and are designed to challenge your working memory effectively.

Games for your brain are a fun way of challenging yourself mentally. Regular training with brain games will keep your brain at its highest level and boost your cognitive performance to its maximum.

Many people fear becoming slower thinkers, more forgetful, and less attentive as they age. From MRI scans, we know that our brain substance, consisting of white and grey matter, may begin to shrink before the age of 30 [1]. This has direct effects on our own thinking, noticeable in logical tasks, remembering, and concentrating – unless you take action.

You can influence this decline! Biologically, the brain is capable of forming new nerve cells and synapses into old age [2]. Brain training demonstrably stimulates the growth of white and grey brain matter [3]. The more it grows, the stronger the improvement in mental performance [4].

Unfortunately, the best training doesn’t do you any good, if you don’t do it regularly. But with any training that challenges you, it is quite hard to stay consistent if you’re not having fun with it.

The same is true for brain training: we will only keep up training regularly with exercises we enjoy.

Motivating games can fuel your brain

That’s why NeuroNation has designed challenging and logic games for your brain that will keep you motivated. They’re called ‘games’ for a reason: while their goal is to improve your cognitive functions and performance, they are still playful, fun and engaging. Our brain games particularly target your working memory, which is extremely important for your daily functioning. Scientists regard working memory as the fundamental basis of all our thinking, learning and problem-solving.

We need working memory in order to understand complex topics, solve problems, and store new information. Dr. Sherry Willis, Professor at the University of Texas [5], found that by training with brain games, individuals became more efficient at performing their everyday tasks of different complexity.

But our brain games also challenge your memory, logic, attention, and verbal skills through a variety of brain exercises based on scientific research.

Another advantage of brain games is that their cognitive benefits can be felt long into old age. According to a study in Neuroscience, published in Psychological Medicine [6], adults who engage in regular mental stimulation are 46% less likely to develop dementia than those who aren’t mentally active,

Dr. Karen Li, head of Concordia University’s laboratory for adult development and cognitive aging, recommends that adults try brain games they find motivating such as logic exercises, puzzle games or crosswords, as a way for an effective brain boost to enhance their cognitive performance.

NeuroNation brain games help you in daily life

Our brain games consist of five categories that all challenge different parts of your brain:

Numeracy

The category ‘Numeracy’ trains your algebraic skills. Its exercises are extremely useful for your everyday dealing with numbers. They not only improve your math skills but also strengthen your problem-solving and logical thinking abilities. For example, the exercise ‘Chain Reaction’ asks you to perform mental calculations quickly, memorize the result and quickly apply it to the next equation in the chain. The goal is to continue the chain for as long as possible.

(Please note: before playing the games you will be required to answer a few questions in order to create the best suitable workout for you)

Language

In this category, your verbal fluency and your articulation are being trained. Because of the ever-changing requirements, this category also tests your working memory, your multitasking abilities, and your visual tracking. In the exercise ‘Password’, you are shown a series of letters, which you have to form as many words as possible out of. Here, your vocabulary and your verbal articulation are tested.

Reasoning

The ‘Reasoning’ category trains your ability to recognize patterns, meaning the relationship of one object to a group of other objects. We constantly have to recognize patterns in our everyday life in order to form logical conclusions and solve problems. This category really challenges your logical thinking, but also your  concentration and processing capacities. In the exercise ‘Solitaria’ you need to quickly recognize patterns, and identify the one object that is different to all the others.

Memory

This is the category that focuses on your working memory. You need working memory to remember information and keep several information simultaneously at your disposal. A well-trained working memory means a better attention span, and the ability to resist temptations. It also influences your IQ. The exercise ‘Memobox’ requires you to remember the amount of colored balls going in and out of several different boxes. Focus, memory, and processing capacities are key here.

Perception

‘Perception’ is designed to train your sensory acuity. This makes you process information faster, and react quickly to changing situations. Your attention and multitasking skills are particularly trained in this category. ‘Color Craze’ is a challenging exercise that gives you more control over automatic actions of yours. You have to either click on a color or a symbol, depending on what is being sought. The exercise is designed to work against your impulses, so you will train your ability to resist your impulses.

Brain games: the best way to challenge your brain

Our brain is an amazing organ. In a time of constant information overload, taking care of your brain health is more important than ever. Instead of traditional brain games like puzzles, solitaire, crossword puzzles or board games, challenge yourself with NeuroNation brain games as a playful and fun alternative that is based on Neuroscience. Let our games give your brain a boost and help you stay mentally fit and healthy.