# data[].attributes.headline
How does mental health impact student learning and well-being?

# data[].attributes.subject
How does mental health impact student learning and well-being?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How does mental health impact student learning and well-being?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Answer (1 of 2): 1. Mental health influences students’ ability to concentrate, retain information, and engage effectively in learning activities.
2. Poor mental health can lead to absenteeism, reduced academic performance, and difficulty in meeting educational goals.
3. Mental well-being contribu…

# data[].attributes.headline
Does too much study cause mental illness?

# data[].attributes.subject
Does too much study cause mental illness?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Does too much study cause mental illness?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
I’ve often heard that students (science/math Ph.D. candidates, in particular) who study too diligently and for long periods over longer spells develop mental health problems like depression, anxiety,

# data[].attributes.body
mental health is as important as physical health because MENTAL HEALTH IS HEALTH!!!

# data[].attributes.headline
Understanding the Impact of Mental Health on Academic Performance

# data[].attributes.subject
Understanding the Impact of Mental Health on Academic Performance

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Independent School Management | Advancing School Leadership-Enriching The Student Experience

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Mental health is an essential component of student success. Students struggling with poor mental health will face overall poor academic outcomes.

According to a 2022 YouthTruth student survey, over 50% of students at every high school grade level cited depression, stress, and anxiety as obstacles to learning -making these conditions ubiquitous in the culture of American teenagers. Additionally, the survey results indicated the percentage of students who feel happy about their lives declines 3-12 grades.

What is even more alarming is that fewer than half of secondary students-regardless of grade level, gender, race, or LGBTQ+ status-report they have an adult at school they can talk to when they feel upset or stressed, or have a problem.

It is abundantly clear mental health and academic performance are intertwined. Schools must take action if they intend to maintain their commitment to their students' overall well-being and academic excellence.

The Connection Between Mental Health and Academic Performance

Mental health challenges affect every facet of student life. Low self-esteem leads to decreased motivation and a lack of confidence when completing tasks or taking tests. Anxiety can make it difficult for students to study or attend classes. Depression can lead to decreased focus and concentration, making it hard for a student to remain engaged or complete work on time. But those are just a few of the complex challenges students face when managing their mental health and academic performance.

Left unaddressed, students with mental health challenges can experience adverse outcomes in their young lives. These include:

trouble making friends,

inability to learn, concentrate, or complete work,

poor grades,

absences,

suspension, and

expulsion.

Ultimately, left without support, students may even consider death by suicide.

When a student's unique needs are recognized, understood, and supported, they can showcase their strengths and reach their true potential. Student mental health needs are part of them, and it is your job as an educator to understand mental health implications in their learning.

What about students with learning differences?

Learning differences such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) also play a harmful role in academic performance, particularly when they are not addressed in a learning plan. In fact, 70% of students with learning disabilities experience more symptoms of anxiety than students without learning disabilities, with anxiety and reading disorders co-occurring in approximately one in four students.

For example, students with ADHD may need help focusing, even when placed in supportive learning environments. Poorly managed ADHD and learning could lead them to fall behind in their studies or fail classes altogether. In the most extreme cases, students could experience bullying because of their ADHD, leaving them feeling stigmatized, which could impact an undiagnosed or co-occurring mental health challenge.

Schools must recognize that all mental health conditions are real and take steps to provide accommodations. Doing so better allows students the opportunity to learn effectively despite any mental health challenges they may be facing.

Mental Health and Its Impact on School Community

Mental health issues among students have far-reaching implications for school communities at large.

Teachers may become overwhelmed trying to manage students with mental health needs within the classroom setting.

Counseling centers and learning support specialists may become overburdened with requests for help.

Parents may be concerned about their child's ability to succeed academically.

Other members of the school community may struggle with how best to support those in need.

Tune in to live webinars every week during the school year to get specific, research-backed insight you can immediately apply at your school.
REGISTER NOW
Solutions to Consider

Schools should implement policies that empower teachers with more flexibility to accommodate students with special needs due to mental illness or disability-for example, allowing extra time on assignments or tests without penalty for late submissions.

Additionally, schools can train staff members in caring and thoughtful ways to manage and support students with mental health issues.

Finally, schools should offer additional resources-counseling sessions, therapy groups, or telehealth services -to support counselors and nursing staff who are already overwhelmed.

Telehealth allows students to connect with a professional on the student's terms, by the way of technology they're familiar with-reducing the social stigma teens may feel in seeking mental health support. In addition, with telehealth, teens can receive care without worrying about being seen or traveling to a therapist's office with their parents.

Taking Telehealth to Another Level

Schools nationwide are struggling to provide the support and qualified personnel needed to address mental health. Even if your school has an active counseling program, your staff can't be available 24/7/365 to your entire student population.

ISM's Wellness in Independent Secondary Education (WISE) program provides students in grades 9-12 access to mental health professionals 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through a custom phone app. Students can connect with professionals by calling or texting-the response is almost instantaneous.

Through on-demand access to an expansive network of licensed and experienced mental health and medical professionals, students receive support for:

mental health-including anxiety and stress;

primary and psychiatric care coordination;

sexual and interpersonal violence support and advocacy;

cognitive behavior therapy (CBT);

suicide awareness, assessment, and prevention; and

well-being and resiliency.

WISE is tailored to your school's unique needs-and complementary to your existing resources. Our goal is to empower your administrators, counseling services, and faculty members to provide the best support possible for your students.

For more information about WISE, please visit our webpage.

As a school leader, early identification and detection of mental health concerns support students to succeed academically. By considering flexible policies, providing appropriate training for staff members, and offering resources such as counseling sessions, therapy groups, or telehealth aimed explicitly at helping students cope, your school will be better equipped than ever to deal effectively with these complex issues-ensuring all young people reach their full potential both inside and outside the classroom walls.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Understanding the Impact of Mental Health on Academic Performance | Independent School Management | Advancing School Leadership-Enriching The Student Experience

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Mental health is an essential component of student success. Students struggling with poor mental health will face overall poor academic outcomes. According to a 2022 YouthTruth student survey, over 50% of students at every high school grade level cited depression, stress, and anxiety as obstacles to learning -making these conditions ubiquitous in the culture of American teenagers.

# data[].attributes.headline
Healing from Childhood Trauma: The Roles of Neuroplasticity and EMDR

# data[].attributes.subject
Healing from Childhood Trauma: The Roles of Neuroplasticity and EMDR

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Childhood trauma can have a lasting effect on physical and mental health. But with the help of neuroplasticity, healing is possible.

Your brain is constantly changing in response to what's happening around you. This is known as neuroplasticity.

These brain changes help us learn and adapt to our environments. But when we're placed in very stressful situations, like during traumatic experiences, some brain changes can result in lasting physical and mental health challenges.

That said, positive change is possible. The neuroplasticity that enables brains to change in response to trauma also allows them to heal. Therapies like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy show promising potential for childhood trauma recovery.

During childhood, the brain is very plastic. Connections between different brain areas change in strength as children have different experiences and develop an understanding of the world and their place in it.

Many instances of trauma in childhood are classified as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). This includes abuse, neglect, violence, or a significant disruption in the first 18 years of life.

According to a , research shows that experiencing one or more ACEs can have lasting effects on a person's physical and mental health, including an increased chance of:

Trauma leads to a sensitized nervous system

Trauma's effect on the brain starts with the activation of the amygdala. This almond-shaped brain region is the gatekeeper of emotional regulation. Once it detects a threat, another brain area called the hypothalamus activates the sympathetic ( fight, flight, freeze, or fawn) nervous system response.

If a child experiences trauma, their brain may detect threats more easily. This means they may feel stress, anxiety, or depression more easily, even as adults.

Trauma leads to increased inflammation

The activation of the sympathetic nervous system triggers the immune system and inflammation response. This aims to prepare the body for repair from physical injury, but the same responses occur when faced with psychological threats.

People who have experienced ACEs are more vulnerable to inflammation later in life.

They may also have reduced counter-inflammatory action from the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis usually works with the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps you relax, to prevent chronic inflammation.

A 2017 study involving 1,000 participants who were followed from birth to 32 years of age linked childhood maltreatment to elevated inflammation biomarkers.

Trauma-induced inflammation may change how neurotransmitters work in the brain. When this happens early enough, it can affect brain development.

Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to rewire itself in response to your experiences. In the past, doctors assumed that this ability was limited to a short time during youth. However, because of improvements in brain imaging technology, we now know that neuroplasticity is a lifelong quality.

This means that regardless of age, it may be possible to rewire your brain and nervous system from childhood trauma by having new, positive, and supportive experiences.

Think of neuroplasticity as creating habits. To use it to your advantage, you simply repeat the behaviors and experiences you want to keep and avoid the ones you do not. You can read about some neuroplasticity exercises here.

In the case of an automatic trauma response, which can be hard to manage, a therapy such as EMDR can be helpful.

EMDR therapy changes the way a traumatic memory is stored in your brain using eye movements or rhythmic tapping. This allows you to process the trauma so that you can remember the event without reliving it.

EMDR is considered a medical procedure because of the way it changes the structure of the brain. Electroencephalogram (EEG) suggest that EMDR works by weakening fear memory connections in the amygdala.

Experts are still in the early stages of understanding how EMDR works. According to the American Psychiatric Association, EMDR therapy is "conditionally recommended" for treating PTSD. While the evidence indicates that it can have good outcomes, this evidence may not be as strong as for other therapies.

The treatment increases a low-frequency rhythm in memory areas of the brain, a state that's similar to slow-wave sleep. This disables fear receptors so your memories can be reconfigured to no longer be connected to strong emotions.

Without the amygdala's emotional response, the hypothalamus can allow the parasympathetic nervous system (the relaxation system) to take over. You can help this transition with mindfulness training or breathing exercises.

It's the brain's neuroplasticity that makes it possible for this rewiring to occur and for EMDR to change the way traumatic memories are stored so that they no longer activate strong emotions.

If you're living with the aftereffects of childhood trauma, you likely know how this trauma can affect you for many years.

Your brain is equipped with lifelong neuroplasticity that enables you to heal from trauma. Therapies like EMDR can help you achieve this goal.

If you're interested in learning more about EMDR, the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) is a comprehensive resource with support networks, therapists, and publications.

Crisis support is available if you're experiencing overwhelming emotions. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 and Crisis Text Line at 741741 (text HOME) are there if you need immediate support.

Childhood trauma may be a part of the adult you are today, but tools like EMDR can make use of neuroplasticity to help you heal and move forward.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Neuroplasticity and Childhood Trauma: Effects, Healing, and EMDR

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Childhood trauma can have a lasting effect on physical and mental health. But with the help of neuroplasticity, healing is possible. Your brain is constantly changing in response to what's happening around you. This is known as neuroplasticity. These brain changes help us learn and adapt to our environments.

# data[].attributes.headline
What Is Neuroplasticity, And How Can It Help In Recovery?

# data[].attributes.subject
What Is Neuroplasticity, And How Can It Help In Recovery?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What Is Neuroplasticity, And How Can It Help In Recovery?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Neuroplasticity is a term that discusses how the brain can change and adapt and how new pathways can be created in response to trauma.

# data[].attributes.headline
How to Harness the Power of Neuroplasticity to Heal Childhood Trauma

# data[].attributes.subject
How to Harness the Power of Neuroplasticity to Heal Childhood Trauma

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Harness the Power of Neuroplasticity to Heal Childhood Trauma - Beth Tyson

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A step-by-step process to harness the power of neuroplasticity and heal childhood trauma.

# data[].attributes.headline
How Can You Rewire Your Brain After Trauma?

# data[].attributes.subject
How Can You Rewire Your Brain After Trauma?

# data[].attributes.body
How to Harness the Power of Neuroplasticity to Heal Childhood Trauma

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How Can You Rewire Your Brain After Trauma? · Sabino Recovery

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Discover How Trauma Alters the Brain’s Perception of Threat, Leading to Heightened Emotional Responses, Memory Problems & Increased Risk of Anxiety Disorders & PTSD. Learn About the Impact on Different Brain Regions & the Role of Neuroplasticity in Trauma Recovery.

# data[].attributes.headline
Understanding the Impact of Mental Health on Academic Performance

# data[].attributes.subject
Understanding the Impact of Mental Health on Academic Performance

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Independent School Management | Advancing School Leadership-Enriching The Student Experience

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Mental health is an essential component of student success. Students struggling with poor mental health will face overall poor academic outcomes.

According to a 2022 YouthTruth student survey, over 50% of students at every high school grade level cited depression, stress, and anxiety as obstacles to learning -making these conditions ubiquitous in the culture of American teenagers. Additionally, the survey results indicated the percentage of students who feel happy about their lives declines 3-12 grades.

What is even more alarming is that fewer than half of secondary students-regardless of grade level, gender, race, or LGBTQ+ status-report they have an adult at school they can talk to when they feel upset or stressed, or have a problem.

It is abundantly clear mental health and academic performance are intertwined. Schools must take action if they intend to maintain their commitment to their students' overall well-being and academic excellence.

The Connection Between Mental Health and Academic Performance

Mental health challenges affect every facet of student life. Low self-esteem leads to decreased motivation and a lack of confidence when completing tasks or taking tests. Anxiety can make it difficult for students to study or attend classes. Depression can lead to decreased focus and concentration, making it hard for a student to remain engaged or complete work on time. But those are just a few of the complex challenges students face when managing their mental health and academic performance.

Left unaddressed, students with mental health challenges can experience adverse outcomes in their young lives. These include:

trouble making friends,

inability to learn, concentrate, or complete work,

poor grades,

absences,

suspension, and

expulsion.

Ultimately, left without support, students may even consider death by suicide.

When a student's unique needs are recognized, understood, and supported, they can showcase their strengths and reach their true potential. Student mental health needs are part of them, and it is your job as an educator to understand mental health implications in their learning.

What about students with learning differences?

Learning differences such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) also play a harmful role in academic performance, particularly when they are not addressed in a learning plan. In fact, 70% of students with learning disabilities experience more symptoms of anxiety than students without learning disabilities, with anxiety and reading disorders co-occurring in approximately one in four students.

For example, students with ADHD may need help focusing, even when placed in supportive learning environments. Poorly managed ADHD and learning could lead them to fall behind in their studies or fail classes altogether. In the most extreme cases, students could experience bullying because of their ADHD, leaving them feeling stigmatized, which could impact an undiagnosed or co-occurring mental health challenge.

Schools must recognize that all mental health conditions are real and take steps to provide accommodations. Doing so better allows students the opportunity to learn effectively despite any mental health challenges they may be facing.

Mental Health and Its Impact on School Community

Mental health issues among students have far-reaching implications for school communities at large.

Teachers may become overwhelmed trying to manage students with mental health needs within the classroom setting.

Counseling centers and learning support specialists may become overburdened with requests for help.

Parents may be concerned about their child's ability to succeed academically.

Other members of the school community may struggle with how best to support those in need.

Tune in to live webinars every week during the school year to get specific, research-backed insight you can immediately apply at your school.
REGISTER NOW
Solutions to Consider

Schools should implement policies that empower teachers with more flexibility to accommodate students with special needs due to mental illness or disability-for example, allowing extra time on assignments or tests without penalty for late submissions.

Additionally, schools can train staff members in caring and thoughtful ways to manage and support students with mental health issues.

Finally, schools should offer additional resources-counseling sessions, therapy groups, or telehealth services -to support counselors and nursing staff who are already overwhelmed.

Telehealth allows students to connect with a professional on the student's terms, by the way of technology they're familiar with-reducing the social stigma teens may feel in seeking mental health support. In addition, with telehealth, teens can receive care without worrying about being seen or traveling to a therapist's office with their parents.

Taking Telehealth to Another Level

Schools nationwide are struggling to provide the support and qualified personnel needed to address mental health. Even if your school has an active counseling program, your staff can't be available 24/7/365 to your entire student population.

ISM's Wellness in Independent Secondary Education (WISE) program provides students in grades 9-12 access to mental health professionals 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through a custom phone app. Students can connect with professionals by calling or texting-the response is almost instantaneous.

Through on-demand access to an expansive network of licensed and experienced mental health and medical professionals, students receive support for:

mental health-including anxiety and stress;

primary and psychiatric care coordination;

sexual and interpersonal violence support and advocacy;

cognitive behavior therapy (CBT);

suicide awareness, assessment, and prevention; and

well-being and resiliency.

WISE is tailored to your school's unique needs-and complementary to your existing resources. Our goal is to empower your administrators, counseling services, and faculty members to provide the best support possible for your students.

For more information about WISE, please visit our webpage.

As a school leader, early identification and detection of mental health concerns support students to succeed academically. By considering flexible policies, providing appropriate training for staff members, and offering resources such as counseling sessions, therapy groups, or telehealth aimed explicitly at helping students cope, your school will be better equipped than ever to deal effectively with these complex issues-ensuring all young people reach their full potential both inside and outside the classroom walls.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Understanding the Impact of Mental Health on Academic Performance | Independent School Management | Advancing School Leadership-Enriching The Student Experience

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Mental health is an essential component of student success. Students struggling with poor mental health will face overall poor academic outcomes. According to a 2022 YouthTruth student survey, over 50% of students at every high school grade level cited depression, stress, and anxiety as obstacles to learning -making these conditions ubiquitous in the culture of American teenagers.

# data[].attributes.headline
Mental health and academic performance: a study on selection and causation effects from childhood to early adulthood

# data[].attributes.subject
Mental health and academic performance: a study on selection and causation effects from childhood to early adulthood

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Mental health and academic performance: a study on selection and causation effects from childhood to early adulthood

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
An inverse relationship between mental health problems and academic achievement is a well-known phenomenon in the scientific literature. However, how and when this association develops is not fully understood and there is a lack of longitudinal,…

# data[].attributes.headline
Creating a Healthier Life: A Step-By-Step Guide to Wellness

# data[].attributes.subject
Creating a Healthier Life: A Step-By-Step Guide to Wellness

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A component of SAMHSA's wellness initiative, this handbook defines wellness and presents the eight dimensions of wellness: social, environmental, physical, emotional, spiritual, occupational, intellectual, and financial. It also offers tips for improving oneself in each dimension.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Creating a Healthier Life: A Step-By-Step Guide to Wellness

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A component of SAMHSA's wellness initiative, this handbook defines wellness and presents the eight dimensions of wellness: social, environmental, physical, emotional, spiritual, occupational, intellectual, and financial. It also offers tips for improving oneself in each dimension.

# data[].attributes.headline
Memory loss: 7 tips to improve your memory

# data[].attributes.subject
Memory loss: 7 tips to improve your memory

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Memory loss: 7 tips to improve your memory

Try these simple ways to improve your memory.
By Mayo Clinic Staff
Can't find your car keys? Forget your grocery list? Can't remember the name of the personal trainer you liked at the gym? You're not alone. Everyone forgets things occasionally. Still, memory loss is nothing to take lightly.

Although there are no guarantees when it comes to preventing memory loss or dementia, certain activities might help. Consider seven simple ways to sharpen your memory - and know when to seek help for memory loss.

1. Include physical activity in your daily routine

Physical activity increases blood flow to your whole body, including your brain. This might help keep your memory sharp.

For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity, such as jogging - preferably spread throughout the week. If you don't have time for a full workout, squeeze in a few 10-minute walks throughout the day.

2. Stay mentally active

Just as physical activity helps keep your body in shape, mentally stimulating activities help keep your brain in shape - and might keep memory loss at bay. Do crossword puzzles. Play bridge. Take alternate routes when driving. Learn to play a musical instrument. Volunteer at a local school or community organization.

3. Socialize regularly

Social interaction helps ward off depression and stress, both of which can contribute to memory loss. Look for opportunities to get together with loved ones, friends and others - especially if you live alone.

4. Get organized

You're more likely to forget things if your home is cluttered and your notes are in disarray. Jot down tasks, appointments and other events in a special notebook, calendar or electronic planner.

You might even repeat each entry out loud as you jot it down to help cement it in your memory. Keep to-do lists current and check off items you've completed. Set aside a place for your wallet, keys, glasses and other essentials.

Limit distractions and don't do too many things at once. If you focus on the information that you're trying to retain, you're more likely to recall it later. It might also help to connect what you're trying to retain to a favorite song or another familiar concept.

5. Sleep well

Sleep plays an important role in helping you consolidate your memories, so you can recall them down the road. Make getting enough sleep a priority. Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep a day.

6. Eat a healthy diet

A healthy diet might be as good for your brain as it is for your heart. Eat fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Choose low-fat protein sources, such as fish, beans and skinless poultry. What you drink counts, too. Too much alcohol can lead to confusion and memory loss. So can drug use.

7. Manage chronic conditions

Follow your doctor's treatment recommendations for medical conditions, such as depression, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and hearing loss. The better you take care of yourself, the better your memory is likely to be. In addition, review your medications with your doctor regularly. Various medications can affect memory.

When to seek help for memory loss

If you're worried about memory loss - especially if memory loss affects your ability to complete your usual daily activities or if you notice your memory getting worse - talk to your doctor. He or she will likely do a physical exam, as well as check your memory and problem-solving skills.

Sometimes other tests are needed as well. Treatment will depend on what's contributing to your memory loss.

Show references

See more In-depth

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Memory loss: 7 tips to improve your memory

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Try these simple ways to improve your memory. By Mayo Clinic Staff Can't find your car keys? Forget your grocery list? Can't remember the name of the personal trainer you liked at the gym? You're not alone. Everyone forgets things occasionally. Still, memory loss is nothing to take lightly.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Improve Your Memory - HelpGuide.org

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Looking for a mental edge? Use these tips to improve your memory, boost your mental performance, and support brain health.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Neuroscientist: How To Boost Your Focus PERMANENTLY in Minutes

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Daniel Goleman on Focus: The Secret to High Performance and Fulfilment

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Get Your Brain to Focus | Chris Bailey | TEDxManchester

# data[].attributes.headline
Improving Learning and Mental Health in the College Classroom

# data[].attributes.subject
Improving Learning and Mental Health in the College Classroom

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Improving Learning and Mental Health in the College Classroom

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Improving Learning and Mental Health in the College Classroom
Robert Eaton, Steven V. Hunsaker, and Bonnie Moon

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Read about 5 steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing.

# data[].attributes.headline
Education/Psychology question big request regarding possible improving thinking, learning, mental health?

# data[].attributes.subject
Education/Psychology question big request regarding possible improving thinking, learning, mental health?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
5 Factors Influencing Memory Process - KnowledgeOne

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Our memory is undoubtedly one of our most fascinating faculties. It allows us to store information, to reason, to understand, and of course to learn!

# data[].attributes.headline
Dopamine's effects on learning and memory

# data[].attributes.subject
Dopamine's effects on learning and memory

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Dopamine's effects on learning and memory: Eric Marr at TEDxCCS

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What is memory?

As we age, it's common to worry about losing our memories (That's partly because a certain amount of age-related memory loss is perfectly normal). In order to preserve your memory as you age, it's important to understand how memory functions. So, what is memory? Where in the brain are memories stored, and how does the brain retrieve them?

Quite simply, memory is our ability to recall information. Scientists talk about different types of memories based either on their content or on how we use the information. For example, remembering the layout of your grandmother's kitchen is different in both content and purpose than remembering the middle three digits of a plumber's phone number while looking at his business card as you dial the phone. The main two categories for memories are short-term and long-term.

Short-term memories involve information that you only need to recall for a few seconds or minutes. If you're turning at an intersection, the fact that there were no cars coming when you looked to the left is important, but once you've made your turn you will quickly discard the information because it is no longer relevant. Keeping it around would unnecessarily clutter your brain.

Long-term memories contain the information that makes you you-not just facts (like the capital of Kansas) or events (like your senior prom) but also skills and processes (like typing or dancing the Macarena). Long-term memory is durable yet changeable; a memory can evolve based on retelling a story or on new information learned after the event.

Memories are not stored in a single location in the brain. Instead, the sensory components of a memory-sight, smell, sound, etc.-are distributed to different areas of the brain, and the act of remembering occurs as the brain pieces those bits back together. Each time a memory is created, its constituent parts are catalogued in the deep-brain structure known as the hippocampus. Next to the hippocampus sits the amygdala, the brain's emotional center. It flags certain memories as being important or emotionally powerful. The different components of the memory are then distributed mostly to sections of the cerebral cortex, which is the outer layer of the brain.

When it's time to retrieve a memory, you rely on the part of the brain known as the frontal lobes, which are involved in attention and focus. The pieces of the memory are then pulled from the areas of the cerebral cortex where they're stored. For example, to remember a scene from your favorite movie might involve pulling in data from the brain's visual region to recall the backdrop and the actors' faces, but also information from the language region to remember the dialogue-and perhaps even the auditory region to remember the soundtrack or sound effects. Together, these components form a unique neuronal pattern that lies dormant until you set about remembering it, at which point it is reactivated.

What causes memory loss and forgetfulness?

Like the rest of our bodies, our brains change with age, meaning that most of us will find ourselves struggling to recall newly learned information or even to think of words we know well. That's usually not cause for alarm, since some memory loss in elderly people is quite normal and not indicative of memory loss diseases such as Alzheimer's. But what causes memory loss, and how and why does memory change with age?

Many of the things we think of as normal memory loss with aging can actually be attributed to a slight decline in our ability to perform tasks requiring attention and so-called executive function (planning, sequencing and regulating thought). Specific age-related changes in the brain are associated with that lower executive function. For example, to think of an acquaintance's name, you must rapidly make connections between brain cells. Each cell (called a neuron) is separated from its neighbors by a tiny gap called a synapse, and a signal from one brain cell must cross that gap to the next one via a chemical messenger called a neurotransmitter. Once across the gap, it must "unlock" a structure called a receptor on the destination cell. With age, both the brain's chemistry and the structural integrity of the neurons' wiring deteriorate (The hippocampus, crucial for memory processing, also shrinks). That doesn't mean you'll never be able to recall the bit of information that's eluding you, but it does mean it might take some time for the brain to forge a path to where the memory is stored. Thus most "memory loss" in seniors is actually just a slowing of performance. You can still learn, retain, and recall plenty of information, but it might take you longer-and require a bit more determination-than it did when you were younger.

Some forms of memory loss are caused by head trauma, including brain injuries resulting from high-impact sports such as boxing, soccer and football. Memory loss can be part of a primary brain disease. But it can also happen in people with depression, thyroid malfunction and even vitamin deficiencies, all of which can result in improved memory with appropriate treatment.

We also know that stress, fatigue, sleep deprivation and the feeling of being overwhelmed can contribute to short-term memory loss and forgetfulness. Middle age can be a difficult period of life in which our responsibilities can extend to ourselves, our spouses, our jobs, our children, our parents and even our grandchildren. It's not uncommon, then, to feel distracted and find it harder to concentrate on things we're trying to remember.

So how do you know when to visit a doctor for memory loss? If you begin to experience difficulty completing familiar tasks, or have bouts of forgetfulness that extend beyond minor inconvenience and disrupt your day-to-day functioning, there may be something more serious going on than normal age-related memory loss.

What is mild cognitive impairment?

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) occurs in nearly 20% of adults over age 65. While many people assume it is a precursor to full-blown dementia, fewer than half of people with MCI go on to develop Alzheimer's dementia within five years. MCI is marked by either memory loss, a decline in cognitive fitness, or both, that is worse than should be expected for the patient's age.

When the impairment is largely memory-related, doctors refer to it as amnestic MCI. With normal age-related memory loss, people tend to forget fairly trivial things like where they put their car keys. But with amnestic MCI, the things patients forget are more important-who the presidential candidates are, what was discussed in last week's Zoom meeting, what college your granddaughter attends. Even so, the impairment is considered "mild" because it does not significantly impact day-to-day functions like preparing food, driving and personal hygiene.

The other main subtype of MCI is called non-amnestic. Rather than affecting memory, non-amnestic MCI manifests as cognitive decline in other areas such as language, spatial awareness or the ability to focus and maintain attention. Someone with non-amnestic MCI might find it difficult to keep up with a conversation, pay their bills, make decisions, repair a faucet or understand a speech. Again, however, the impairment is not so severe as to disrupt everyday life.

People whose MCI affects both memory and other types of cognition are said to have multi-domain MCI. Amnestic MCI is the most common subtype.

MCI is highly variable in terms of its severity and trajectory-it may worsen, stay the same or even go away, depending on what's causing it. Temporary MCI can be brought on by sleep apnea, depression or medications. Risk factors for other kinds of MCI include genetics, stroke, head injury, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, and hearing loss. It's important not to think of these risk factors as "causes" of MCI-instead, each has been associated with the condition.

What is dementia?

Many people confuse mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with dementia. While MCI can in fact be a precursor to the early stages of dementia, dementia is a separate brain disorder. The symptoms of dementia are so severe as to render the patient dependent on others to carry out the tasks of everyday living. But exactly what is dementia?

Although memory loss is one of the most common signs of dementia, the disorder often entails other forms of cognitive decline, including a drop-off in the ability to think abstractly, to make reasonable judgments, to speak and understand, and to relate spatially to the environment. Perhaps just as alarming, dementia patients often undergo significant changes to their personalities, becoming agitated and sometimes experiencing delusions.

There are several types of dementia.

Most people know or have heard of someone with Alzheimer's disease, a type of dementia marked by short-term memory loss so severe that patients often ask the same question minutes apart, forgetting that they have already received an answer. Alzheimer's patients also frequently experience severe personality changes. People with Alzheimer's disease have excessive amyloid plaque and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. But whether these changes are the actual cause continues to be explored. That's because many older people have similar brain changes but never develop dementia.

Vascular dementia is caused by an interruption of the blood flow to the brain. This can happen after a stroke, brain bleed or head trauma, But more often the cause is reduced blood flow from narrowing of multiple small arteries that feed oxygen and nutrients to the brain. The symptoms are similar to people with Alzheimer's disease, but it also depends on which parts of the brain are most affected.

Dementia with Lewy bodies arises from an accumulation of harmful proteins in the brain cells causing progressive problems with cognition, memory and movement.

Although Parkinson's disease is usually thought of as a movement disorder, some people develop symptoms similar to other types of dementia, such as problems with executive function, information retrieval and attention.

Frontotemporal dementia occurs when neurons in the brain's frontal lobe or temporal lobe die off, leaving the patient to experience personality changes so stark as to be frequently misdiagnosed as psychiatric problems.

The symptoms of primary age-related tauopathy, or PART, can appear similar to those of Alzheimer's disease. But the symptoms of PART are mostly limited to memory loss and not the other cognitive-behavioral problems usually associated with Alzheimer's.

People with more than one of these memory loss diseases are said to have mixed dementia.

What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's?

Dementia is the generic term for cognitive and memory decline sufficiently severe that the patient requires assistance with everyday functioning. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, with nearly 5 million Americans affected, but it is by no means the only cause.

Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, meaning that it worsens over time, sometimes in as little as four years. During the early stages, the patient experiences memory loss but is still able to live independently. In mid-stage Alzheimer's, the patient may begin to neglect their personal care and to forget significant information. By the late stages of the illness, people require help with even the most basic aspects of daily living, and normal conversation becomes impossible.

What happens to the brain to cause Alzheimer's? Two substances play a likely role. Both are naturally occurring proteins. Beta-amyloid accumulates in the brain until it forms plaques in the gaps between nerve cells that are conduits for signals that travel through the brain. The other key protein, called tau, also accumulates over time and forms tangles inside the brain cells. The two proteins together kill cells in areas of the brain necessary for memory, personality and other cognitive abilities.

How to improve memory and concentration?

The good news is that, although with age you should expect to experience some forgetfulness, there is plenty you can do to minimize memory loss and even improve and enhance your memory as you get older.

Among the best ways to improve memory are the same lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. For example, quit smoking, drink alcohol in moderation or avoid drinking completely, and limit intake of sugary and processed foods.

But when it comes to how to improve memory, eliminating factors is just part of the puzzle-the other piece is adding in new habits. For example, eating foods that help memory, such as leafy green vegetables, nuts, berries, tea, coffee and oily fish, is a great way to promote your overall health while strengthening your brain.

Regular exercise boosts the growth of brain cells and the production of neurotransmitters, enhancing memory. A mix of aerobic (cardio) and strength exercises is best.

If you're not getting enough sleep, you might be harming your cognition and memory. Aim for seven to nine hours each night.

Meditation, stress reduction and keeping up a good network of social relationships have all been shown to stave off the effects of aging on the brain.

One key to keeping your mind young is to keep it busy and challenged through lifelong learning and stimulation. Traveling, learning new languages, picking up a musical instrument, taking art or cooking classes, doing puzzles, playing board games-all these things promote the growth of new brain cells and help the brain forge new pathways.

Memory enhancement can also come from properly managing your physical and mental health.

If you know or suspect that you suffer from depression, get it treated.

Since many medications can cause brain fog and bouts of forgetfulness, you should review your prescriptions with your doctor and see if dosages can be changed or eliminated. Especially consider drugs with anti-cholinergic properties, such as the older antihistamines (e.g. diphenhydramine, Benadryl), some older antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline, Elavil), and drugs for urinary symptoms (e.g. oxybutynin, Ditropan).

Checking your hearing, vision, blood pressure and blood levels of thyroid function and cholesterol may find abnormalities which could easily be addressed and result in improved memory.

Brain experts have developed many tips for improving memory as you attempt to remember such things as names, to-do lists, facts or other information. For example, associating new information with things you already know can help you retain it-like remembering that you're in parking spot 42 because your son is 42 years old. With another technique, called chunking, you break up a list into categories-if you were memorizing all the countries of Europe, grouping the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) lets you see them as one group. Using a more advanced technique, called loci, you "visit" a familiar location in your mind, mentally placing the items you want to memorize at various places along the path.

Certain habitual behaviors will help you remember the information that gets you through your day. One such habit is staying organized-if you always put your car keys on the counter, you won't have to wonder where you left them. If you write down every appointment or put it into your smartphone, you won't miss any. If you keep to-do lists, up-to-date address books, and lists of passwords, you won't face the struggle of trying to recall information when it's urgent. It's also helpful to create certain mental habits, such as repeating a person's name as soon as you're introduced, paraphrasing parts of a conversation to reinforce the message, and becoming a more careful reader (and re-reader) to really drive home the content.

How to avoid memory loss?

In study after study, physical activity has been associated not just with higher cognitive function but with a decreased risk of memory loss over time. The brains of people who exercise regularly shrink less with age than those of sedentary people (especially the hippocampus, a brain structure key to memory), and their white matter stays healthier. Exercising three or more times per week has been associated with a 40-50% lower risk of diagnosis with dementia.

In one study, adults at a high fitness level were 88% less likely than those of medium fitness to develop dementia, and high fitness appeared to delay the onset of dementia by 11 years. To reap the benefits of exercise, you must be consistent, so set aside a dedicated time for exercise and stick with it. Swimming, walking and tennis are great activities. Joining a gym and taking fitness classes works very well for some people, since socialization is known to boost brain health.

Another way to avoid memory loss is to be mindful of what you eat. While some specific foods are associated with brain health, food marketers sometimes exaggerate their benefits. That's why it's better to think in terms of broad patterns and styles of eating. One rule of thumb is to build your eating habits around foods that are good for your heart, since the same diet that is heart-healthy is also good for the brain. You may have heard of the Mediterranean diet, which has been shown to promote heart health. It centers on plant-based foods, fish, nuts and olive oil. A variation of the Mediterranean diet, called the MIND diet (Mediterranean diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) was designed with the explicit goal of optimizing brain health. It's heavy on leafy green vegetables, nuts, berries, fish and poultry, and avoids red meat, butter, cheese and sweets. In one study, MIND diet adherents were 30-35% less likely to score poorly on cognitive tests.

But what about memory supplements? Can't you simply take an over-the-counter pill or capsule to get a memory boost? Unfortunately, marketers frequently make unproven claims about the benefits of these products. For example, ginkgo biloba is often touted as a wonder supplement for mental function, but numerous studies have found that it has no effect on memory, attention or risk of dementia. You do need certain vitamins for memory, but studies have not shown that taking more than the recommended daily allowance (RDA) has a beneficial effect. Still, B vitamins and vitamin D might merit special attention, since they're particularly important for keeping dementia at bay. A blood test can tell you whether you're vitamin B12-deficient, in which case a supplement is a good idea. You can get plenty of vitamin D through 10-15 minutes of sun exposure daily, but if that's not possible, a supplement may be called for.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In many ways, our memories shape who we are. They make up our internal biographies-the stories we tell ourselves about what we've done with our lives. They tell us who we're connected to, who we've touched during our lives, and who has touched us. In ...

# data[].attributes.headline
Can electrical brain stimulation boost attention, memory, and more?

# data[].attributes.subject
Can electrical brain stimulation boost attention, memory, and more?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Can electrical brain stimulation boost attention, memory, and more? - Harvard Health

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Therapies using an electric current for brain stimulation are not new, but marketing devices for home use is a relatively recent phenomenon. While claims include better energy, focus, mood a…

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Concentration Challenge - Can you count the bounces?

# data[].attributes.headline
Regular exercise improves brain regions linked with memory

# data[].attributes.subject
Regular exercise improves brain regions linked with memory

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Regular exercise improves brain regions linked with memory - Harvard Health

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A 2023 study found that people who engaged in moderate or vigorous exercise an average of four days a week had more brain mass in regions associated with cognitive skills like memory and learning,…

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Learning & Memory | Aidan McDonagh | TEDxBangkokPatanaSchool

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We have a lot to learn from studying our ignorance.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Philosophy

Brief reflections on quotes of Theodore Roosevelt

"Knowing what's right doesn't mean much unless you do what's right." - Theodore Roosevelt

Photo by Vanessa Serpas on Unsplash

This one hits home because I'm undeniably guilty of screwing it up. Knowledge is a two-edged sword. We can be hurt by what we don't know; we can be hurt by failing to act on what we do know.

For example, a child may not know playing in a street is dangerous. If they venture out into the street without looking, they can be hit by a moving vehicle. The child was innocent, but the consequences are indifferent to the child's lack of knowledge.

An adult, by contrast, knows playing in a street is dangerous - implicitly, I might add. This makes an adult responsible for that knowledge. Interceding on the child's behalf (whether by warning the child, pulling them back from danger, driving slower in a neighborhood, etc.) becomes an ethical duty of the person with knowledge.

If the knowledgeable one fails to act, it could mean life-altering consequences for the child. It could also mean legal consequences for the adult.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This one hits home because I'm undeniably guilty of screwing it up. Knowledge is a two-edged sword. We can be hurt by what we don't know; we can be hurt by failing to act on what we do know. For...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Jonathan Drori: What we think we know | TED Talk

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Starting with four basic questions (that you may be surprised to find you can’t answer), Jonathan Drori looks at the gaps in our knowledge -- and specifically, what we don’t about science that we might think we do.