Learning & The BrainNotes from 2/10 Conference

Lynn Fishman Hellerstein, O.D., FCOVD, FAAO

Dr.H@LynnHellerstein.com

303-850-9499

Neuroplasticity Research

Our brain is a dynamic system that has the capability of significant growth.

Rudraprosad Chakraborty, M.D.

J Indian Med Assoc 2007;105(9)

Neuroplasticity Research

Neuroplasticity research has established, beyond doubt, that instead of being a static cell mass, our brain is actually a

dynamic system of neural networks that has the capability of significant growth

under favorable circumstances.

Rudraprosad Chakraborty, M.D.J Indian Med Assoc 2007;105(9)

Neuroplasticity Research

Research shows that adults do, in fact, exhibit neuroplasticity. You can use this innate ability to treat a variety of

visual system disorders.

Dominick M. Maino, O.D., M.Ed.

Review Optometry (1/09)

Neuroplasticity & Visual System Disorders

Neuroplasticity as a Proposed Mechanism for the Efficacy of Optometric Vision

Therapy and RehabilitationHuang JC. J Behav Optom 2009;20:96-100

…70% all sensory input fibers to brain is related to vision and visual processing, optometrists can play a major role in the rehabilitation of visually-related deficits

Research - Stress

Relaxation responsephysical and emotional responses

to stress can be changed

State of deep rest that decreases metabolism, slows the heart beat, relaxes the muscles, slows breathing, reduced BP,

increases nitric oxide

ResearchStress

If practiced-lasting effects

Herbert Benson’s Harvard “Relaxation Response”

http://www.mbmi.org/basics/whatis.asp

Research Emotions, Mind & Body - Candace Pert PhD

Emotions are both energy and matter and are the communication bridge between

the mind and body.

Suggests the body is the subconscious

Emotions and thoughts effect our body, but are not permanently hard- wired

The 2nd Brain

• Dr. Michael Gerson

• Chair Anatomy & Physiology Columbia Medical Center

• 100M Neurons in the gut – Esophagus-Anus

• Gut does much more than digests

• Impacts emotions & moods

Research - Visualization

Same parts of the brain light up on MRI when person looks at an actual object,

or if they imagine the same object in their mind

Basketball Study

Evolve Your Brain: The Science of Changing Your Mind by Dr. Joe Dispenza 2007

“What the Bleep”http://www.drjoedispenza.com

Research - Visualization

We can release our emotions and thoughts and rewire our neuro-

networks

This is how visualization can affect physical/brain changes

Is Vision Therapy Just for Kids?

Dr. Susan Barry

12 Brain Rules – John Medina Ph.D.

The brain is an amazing thing. Most of us have no idea what’s really going on inside our heads. Yet brain scientists have uncovered details every business leader, parent, and teacher should know. Dr. John Medina- Developmental Molecular Biologist

12 Brain Rules

1. Exercise boosts brain power

2. Human brain evolved too

3. Every brain is wired differently

4. We don’t pay attention to boring things

5. Repeat to remember

6. Remember to repeat

12 Brain Rules

7. Sleep well, think well8. Stressed brains don’t learn the same

way9. Stimulate more of the senses10.VISION trumps all other senses

WE SEE WITH OUR BRAINS

11.Male and female brains are different12.We are powerful natural explorers

Brain Research

• Create an education environment opposed to what the brain is good at– Classroom

• Create a business environment opposed to what the brain is good at doing– Cubicle

• Want to change things?– Start over!

Intelligence Is BiologyRichard Haier, PhD

Brain structure and metabolic efficiency may underlie individual differences in

intelligence

Imaging research is pinpointing which regions are key players

Intelligence Is BiologyRichard Haier, PhD

Smart brains work in different way Women and men with same IQ show different

underlying brain architectures

Individual’s pattern of gray and white matter might underlie his specific cognitive

strengths & weaknesses

Intelligence Is BiologyRichard Haier, PhD

• What about new drugs & tools for cognitive enhancement?

• Scans instead of SAT?

Heredity, Environment, & Race Differences in IQ

Heredity, Environment, & Race Differences in IQ

• Black – white IQ gap is NOT hereditary

• Adoption and intervention programs produce substantial lasting effects on black IQ

• At-risk kids- need intervention

Mindset – Robert Brooks

Mindset – Robert BrooksAssumptions & Expectations we have

about self and others guide our behaviorStrategies are worthless unless you

believe in them & yourself

Mindset – Robert BrooksWith kids with learning problems, need to

change their mindsetsMotivating environment:

– People being cooperative– Willing to learn from each other– Willing to take risks because they feel safe &

secure– All parties feel a sense of ownership

Cultivating Emotional Intelligence

Charlotte Reznick, Ph.D

Cultivating Emotional Intelligence

Emotions guide cognitive learningHelps kids to build a set of academic

“intuitions” about how, when, and why to use their new knowledge

Cultivating Emotional Intelligence

• 11% increase in standardized testing with Social Emotional Learning

• Bathing suit study

• Relaxation

How Your Child Learns Best

How Your Child Learns Best

What is the biggest fear of students?– Not being liked by the teacher

– Bad grades

– Making a mistake in front of the class

How Your Child Learns Best

What is the biggest fear of students?– Making a mistake in front of the class

How Your Child Learns Best

Everything we learn comes to the brain through our senses

Brain can’t process billions of bits of info every sec.

Equipped with filters to protect from overload & focus on the data most critical for survival.

How Your Child Learns Best

Helping your child turn information into KNOWLEDGE

RAD Learning =

RAS + Amygdala + Dopamine

How Your Child Learns Best

RAS – Reticular activating system

Located at brain stem (lower back of brain)

Receives input from nerves from arms, legs, trunk, neck, face, internal organs

Sets the state of arousal alerts brain to change & gets it primed

How Your Child Learns Best

Selects for intake the sensory input (info) it “values” for survival or pleasure

RAS responsive to novelty, surprise, color, curious events

Lectures, drills & worksheets are NOT novel or engaging- don’t power info thru RAS brain filter

How Your Child Learns Best

Amygdala – next filter

Sensory data passes through brain’s emotional core, limbic system (amygdala & hippocampus)

Emotional significance is linked to infoKennedy

How Your Child Learns Best

When stress is high, amygdala diverts info to the reflex automatic system, non-thinking reactions (flight/fight)

When amygdala is in a safe state and emotions are positive, info is passed on to the memory-making and thinking networks in the brain

How Your Child Learns Best

Stress, boredom, frustration or confusion block the flow of info through amygdala to the thinking brain

When learning is associated with pleasure, the amygdala “stamps” that info with increased memory impact

How Your Child Learns Best

Dopamine – Neurotransmitter

Carry info across synapsesReleased when experience is

pleasurable

How Your Child Learns Best

Dopamine – Neurotransmitter

Elicited through humor, friends, achievement

Increases focus, attention and executive function in the frontal lobes

How Your Child Learns Best

You need brain-friendly strategies to empower your child

to respond to the most useful sensory input from the

environment and turn that data into retained knowledge

“I guide students in activities that helpthem focus and achieve positive moods

to prime themselves for learning. We practice techniques

to increase mindfulness.”

Dr. Judith Willis

“For example, students learn to do visualizations,

deliberately recalling in detail a place where they felt

happy, calm, and safe.”

Dr. Judith Willis

The more learners practice visualizing their particular calming place, the

stronger the neural network holding that

memory becomes;

Dr. Judith Willis

Eventually, the students can easily return to that memory

whenever they feel stressed.

Dr. Judith Willis

Returning to that safe place enables learners to let new information

that someone is presenting flow into their thinking brain rather than being filtered out.

Dr. Judith Willis

Neuroplasticity

When the action is repeated, the more dendrites sprout to connect new

memories to old ones, stronger the connections become, the more efficient the brain becomes at

retrieving that memory or action

How Your Child Learns Best

This teaches students how they can change their intelligence by

teaching them about their brains

I study because

I CAN CHANGE MY BRAIN

How Your Child Learns Best

http://www.ascd.org/ASCD/pdf/journals/ed_lead/el200912_willis.pdf

http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational_leadership/dec09/vol67/num04/How_to_Teach_Students_About_the_Brain.aspx

Practice Makes

PERMANENCE

Neuroplasticity

Neurons that fire together,

Wire together

Learning Promotes

Learning!Learning!