An international research team comprising neuroscientists at Virginia Tech, University College London, and the University of London revealed brain mechanisms and functional regions that underlie confirmation bias a phenomenon where people strongly favor information that reinforces their existing opinions over contradictory ones.

The study provides insight into a fundamental property of belief formation that has been documented by psychologists and economists, as well as in popular literature, including George Orwells 1984. People tend to disregard information that conflicts with their past choices, no matter how authoritative or factual the new information may be.

We are watching this all over the news, said P. Read Montague, a professor and director of the Human Neuroimaging Laboratory at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC and an honorary professor at the Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging at University College London. It is the mystery of decision-making. People routinely make decisions that cut across their own best interests. We clearly know this in areas like drug abuse, overeating, or any repetitive activity during which people disregard obviously beneficial advice.

In the study, participants from Roanoke and Blacksburg, Virginia, arrived at the laboratory in pairs and were introduced to each other before retiring to individual cubicles. They played a real estate game, made wagers for cash, and then re-evaluated their decisions in light of the wagers made by their partners.

Researchers combined functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with the behavioral task. Participants blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) variables were examined through moderated mediation analysis, capturing a relationship between brain activity and multiple levels of performance, and testing whether the mediation is different for conditions of agreement and disagreement.

When participants learned their partners agreed with their opinions, they significantly increased their bets, thus confirming they were confident with their decision. Participants only slightly decreased their wagers when their partners disagreed.

The impact of the partners opinion was far greater when it confirmed the players judgment, and the partners opinion was more likely to be disregarded when it was contradictory consistent with confirmation bias.

The functional brain imaging data revealed a region whose activity modulation was associated with decision-making and memory. The posterior medial prefrontal cortex mediated the strength of confirming opinions over disconfirming opinions and tracked agreements more closely than disagreements.

We are using functional neuroimaging and computational neuroscience to take apart the mechanisms that look at why we are biased to make one kind of decision versus another, what neural structures are involved, and how do these change across development and across states of health, disease, and brain injury, Montague said. In that sense, the study contributes directly to understanding why people make decisions. It has implications for institutions all across our culture where people make judgments that are either against or congruent with their own interests.

Reference

Kappes et al. (2019) Confirmation bias in the utilization of others opinion strength. Nature Neuroscience. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-019-0549-2

This article has been republished from the following materials. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source.

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Revealing the Neural Basis of Confirmation Bias - Technology Networks

Australian med-tech company Anatomics has conducted a study on the benefits of 3D printed patient-specific medical models for pre-surgical planning.

Using its 3D printed SpineBox kit to support spinal fusion surgery, Anatomics has measured the performance of the models on 129 patients, over a period of 27 months. These patients were all undergoing minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF) at a single centre, performed by the same surgeon. From the results, Anatomics has concluded that MIS TLIF represents a viable application for 3D printed patient-specific models, improving the efficiency and quality of the operation.

3D printed sternum implants

Based in Melbourne, Anatomics specializes in manufacturing and marketing surgical products to surgeons locally and internationally.

Working with Lab 22, the 3D printing service bureau arm of CSIRO (the Australian federal government agency for scientific research), Anatomics has 3D printed a number of medical implants over the years. In 2015 the company helped to design and 3D print a titanium sternum and rib implant for a 54-year-old patient in Spain, diagnosed with a chest wall sarcoma.Following this, again with Lab 22, it 3D printed a composite sternum and rib cage implant for a patient in the U.S. The implant was provided to a surgical team, led by Jeffrey L. Port of the New York-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell hospitals, who successfully performed the implant procedure on 20-year-old Penelope Heller.

Anatomics 3D printed sternum implant has also been implemented on a patient in the UK at Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham. The operation was the subject of a BBC TV series that aired in 2017 named Trust Me, Im a doctor, which went on to inspire further 3D printed titanium implant procedures.

How useful are 3D printed patient-specific models?

To carry out its study of surgical guides, Anatomics used patient imaging and surgical planning software to manufacture 3D printed patient-specific MIS TLIF kits for each of the 129 patients. These kits consisted of a 1:1 scale BioModel of the patients spine, stereotactic K-wire guide, osteotomy guide, and muscle retractors.

Each of the 3D printed spine models was used pre-operatively for surgical planning, patient consent, and education. Specifically, the BioModels can support procedures such as nerve decompression, fusion cage implantation, and help to provide accurate completion of the spinal construct.

To measure the efficiency of the 3D printed models on the patients, Anatomics considered the operating time, sterile tray usage, fluoroscopy screening time, operative waste and median hospital stay when using the BioModels. The accuracy of the planning provided by the 3D printed models was analyzed according to the number of screws and rods used if the interbody case measurements matched intraoperative data, and deviations in the implant size and screw placements.

After reviewing data gathered from postoperative CT scans, Anatomics concluded that its SpineBox kit presents a new benchmark for efficiency and quality in spinal fusion procedures. Notably, it found that the 3D printed models achieved a pedicle screw placement accuracy of 97.8 percent. However, there were some complications, including one intraoperative dural tear, and six reoperations. Not only are they helpful in treatment, but also in education for patients, as it allows the surgeon to explain in detail the nature of the surgery according to the specific individual.

Measuring the performance of patient-specific solutions for minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery is published in the Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, ScienceDirect. It is co-authored by Ganesha K.Thayaparan, Mark G.Owbridge, Matthew Linden, Robert G.Thompson, Philip M.Lewis, and Paul S.DUrso.

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Featured image shows3D printed medical model. Photo via Journal of Clinical Neuroscience.

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Emerging technologies are contributing towards new developments in various branches of science, be it drug discovery or faster disease detection. The field of neuroscience is also reaping the benefits of modern technology as a graduate of the Berkeley SkyDeck accelerator program, Humm, has created a new device that claims to improve your working memory.

Take a look at winners of EIT Digital Challenge 2019.

Back in April, a study published in the scientific journal Nature Neuroscience found some fascinating results. Under the study, a mild electric stimulation was applied to 70 year old participants and their performance in certain memory tasks was noted to be on par with 20-year-olds. It was conducted by researchers from Boston University.

Drawing from over 30 years of research in the field of neuroscience research, Humm created a device that applies a mild electrical stimulation to help stimulate the brain and improve memory. The startup has now raised 2.3 million in seed round that was led by the Berlin-based investor Blueyard Capital.

With the latest round of funding, Humms total disclosed funding amount is 2.7 million. As mentioned above, it secured 2.3 million in its latest round of funding, which was led by the Berlin-based investor Blueyard Capital. CRCM Venture Capital and the Berkeley SkyDeck Fund participated with additional funding.

Humm will utilise latest funding to launch its first product, a wearable patch and a companion software app. The patch is called humm and it is clinically proven to help improve working memory by applying gentle stimulation to the brains attention and learning center. The device uses transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to boost the power of theta waves produced in our brain that is touted to restore information flow and improve the ability to recall. The product is slated to hit the market in 2020.

Humm stimulates activity in the prefrontal cortex of your brain, which is linked to enable essential cognitive functions such as learning, decision making and problem solving. The company says that one will need to use the device for merely 15 minutes and they will get a mental boost for up to 90 minutes. Humm users can expect better recollection of learned material, better focus and multitasking, without the ill-effects arising from chemical stimulants like coffee.

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Berlin-based investor bets big on Humm, a wearable that can boost your memory and focus - Silicon Canals

Imagine a world where learning is effortless, where communication and control of technology are as simple as a thought and where every person has the power to expand their intelligence. In the last ten years, cutting edge neuroscience has opened new horizons for the improvement of the human brain.

At the forefront of this advancement is Humm, a neuroscience startup working to bring the incredible results of neuroscience research out of the lab and into non-invasive wearables that improve the quality of life for everyday people. Humm isthe maker of the first affordable, wearable patch for providing electrical stimulation to your brain,

Today, Humm announced it has closed a $2.6 million seed round, bringing total funding to $3.1 million.The Humm device has been clinically studied and shown to improve memory and learning. It is a disposable wearable patch, like a big bandaid and was tested in UCSF neuroscience clinical trials which showed that people can experience close to 20% faster learning speed after one 15-minute session. Humms product is used by the Air Force to help its pilots in training.

The round was led by Blueyard Capital with additional funding from CRCM Venture Capital and follow-on funding from the Berkeley SkyDeck Fund. Joining the companys board are Jason Whitmire, General Partner of Blueyard and Ariel Poler. Poler is a prominent Silicon Valley entrepreneur, investor and long-standing executive of the successful consumer health company Strava and UCSFs Health Hub.

Founded in 2017 byAhmud Auleear, Christopher Norman, Iain McIntyre, and Timothy Fiori, theBerkeley, California-based Humm is a recent graduate of the Berkeley SkyDeck accelerator. The startup is working with leading neuroscientists to bring its first patch to market; making neurostimulation technology 100-times cheaper and allowing users to experience the benefits in three minutes.

The new funding will be used to launch Humms first product, a wearable patch and software app that makes learning faster and easier by strengthening the neural circuits which regulate memory in the brain. The Humm patch is the first technology that has been shown to measurably improve working memory within just minutes of use, and for hours after. A persons working memory determines how many numbers, names and other facts they can hold in mind at any time, and improving it allows a user to do things like learn skills and information faster, focus better and multitask more effectively.

Ciarn OLeary, General Partner at Blueyard Capital stated, As software and biology continue to be on a collision course, new technology paradigms will emerge that will unleash creativity and empower scientists, clinicians and engineers to read, edit and write biology including key human functions. Humms technology improves the performance of the human mind and has the potential to expand healthspan for millions of people. So we are excited to be working with a team that is reinventing the form factor and experience of brain stimulation.

This is a very important time for Humm, said Iain McIntyre, Humm CEO and Co-founder. Using the patch is as easy as sticking on a BAND-AIDnothing bulky or awkward. In a 15-minute session, our clinical trial shows a 20 percent improvement in working memory capacity [against placebo] within the first three minutes of wearing a patch, that then lasts for more than an hour afterwards. In our testing with hundreds of early access users this year weve seen people doing exciting things with that boost, like accelerating the speed they can learn a language or remembering more of what they read.

Working with top neuroscientists in the field of neurostimulation at UC Berkeley and UCSF, Humm is continuing to refine the easy-to-use and inexpensive (less than $10) patch. The product is worn on the forehead, just above the prefrontal cortexa critical area of the brain for decision making and learning. It uses non-invasive electrical stimulation, which has been studied for the past 30 years and Humms particular method of choice, known as tACS, takes advantage of some of the latest exciting research in the area.

The companys early access store is now closed after receiving thousands of pre-orders from customers and a substantial order from the U.S. Airforce, but those wanting to be among the first to try may join a waitlist at http://www.thinkhumm.com. Humm plans to make the patch available to consumers in Q3 2020. The product will be demonstrated at the upcoming CES conference in Las Vegas January 2020. (Demo at the SkyDeck exhibit at the RAVV booth in Eureka Park #51263).

Our vision is to use this novel technology to replace medication and supplementation for the brain with a healthier, better alternative that nurtures and improves our mental capabilities,Added Mcintyre.

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Humm raises $2.6M seed round for its wearable patch shown to stimulate your brain and improve working memory - TechStartups.com

Zion Market Research analysts forecasts the latest report onGrowing Rate of CNS-Related Diseases has Significantly Boosted the Global Neuroscience Market, according to their latest report. The following report contains an interpretation of the marketing plan forNeuroscience Market. Global Neuroscience Market Report concentrates on the strong analysis of the present state of Neuroscience Market which will help the readers to develop innovative strategies that will act as a catalyst for the overall growth of their industry. (Sample Copy Here) This research report segments the Neuroscience Market according to Type, Application and regions. It highlights the information about the industries and market, technologies, and abilities over the trends and the developments of the industries.

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Neuroscience Market 2020: Global Industry Overview By Size, Share, Trends, Growth Factors, Historical Analysis, Opportunities and Industry Segments...

Researchers have discovered in recent years early and sometimes aggressive treatment of stroke and traumatic brain injury can preserve function and independence for many patients who in the past had no choice but to live with debilitating disability.

Anna Ver Hage, RN

It became part of the guidelines to actually remove clots from large vessels versus saying theres not much we can do after a stroke, said Anna Ver Hage, MSN, RN, AGACNP-BC, CNRN, a speaker for the Relias Neuroscience Nursing Certification Review, which prepares nurses for the exam to become certified as Certified Neurosciences Registered Nurse (CNRN).

And today more patients are candidates for advanced treatments.

In January 2018, an updated guideline for acute stroke management published in the journal Stroke recommended extending the timeline for mechanical endovascular thrombectomy from the 2013 guideline recommendation of 6 hours post stroke to up to 24 hours after stroke onset in some patients.

Advances in traumatic brain injury include the use of new medications to try and stimulate and awaken patients, greatly improving outcomes in some cases. And technology is rapidly changing. Todays MRIs are capable of imaging specific brain tracts.

To see what damage was done and what the prognosis is going forward is a huge help in the acute phase, said Ver Hage, who is a stroke nurse practitioner who works at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, Ariz.

Years ago, nurses would share with patients and families what staff thought might happen.

With advanced imaging, we can give them a lot better idea about what to expect and what rehab is going to be needed going forward, she said.

Tracey Anderson, CNRN

Neuroscience nursing stands out among other specialties because the diagnoses are life-changing for many patients. Care goes beyond saving a life and can include helping people get back to who they were before an injury from trauma, stroke or brain tumor, said Tracey Anderson, CNRN, FNP-BC, ACNP-BC, a neurosurgery nurse practitioner who works in a private practice covering four hospitals in Southern California.

Its sort of shepherding them through their journey whether thats back to wellness or making the most of the time they have left, said Anderson, who serves on the certification board for the American Board of Neuroscience Nursing.

The need for neuroscience nursing is growing as the population ages, according to Ver Hage.

We are treating neurologic illnesses and injuries more aggressively than we used to, and I think that has increased substantially the number of nurses that are needed that have neuro expertise, Anderson said.

A lot of nurses are very uncomfortable with neuro because they just dont feel like they know how to assess the patient. Theyre afraid theyre going to miss something and ultimately they avoid it, she said. They go into anything but neuro. Its a specialty in terms of a focus where either you love it or hate it. Theres not a lot of middle ground and the people that love it never leave.

Many hospitals and health systems are achieving higher levels of stroke care, becoming primary stroke centers, comprehensive stroke centers and more, resulting in the need for more experienced and specialized staff.

There is a big push in those hospitals to get their nurses certified, Ver Hage said. Thats great because you cant run a specialty center without specialty nurses.

Its one thing to focus on the expertise of physicians and having a neurologist or vascular surgeon on staff. Its another to focus on the specialization of nurses because the vascular surgeon or neurosurgeon is not there at the bedside evaluating patients 24 hours a day as the nurses are, according to Ver Hage.

But learning the specialty isnt easy. Its something nurses generally transition into, according to Ver Hage.

Neuroscience nursing is not something that you necessarily spend a lot of time on in school, so your training does not really focus on the management of these patients, she said.

Learning about the intricacies of the brain and how injuries to different parts of the brain cause very different symptoms and disabilities is a complicated process. Its not like assessing a broken bone, in which healing time and functional outcomes might be pretty clear cut.

With brain injuries we dont have that, Ver Have said. Its very specific and its very difficult to learn that without a lot of training and a lot of experience.

Thats where certification and specific continuing education come in, according to Ver Hage.

Nurses who are certified have taken training courses and have been exposed to these patients on a daily basis, she said.

Because of that training, a neuroscience nurse might assess a patient with dizziness, for example, differently than a medical nurse.

The medical nurse might not think much of it and suggest the patient lie down. The neuroscience nurse is going to consider cerebellar stroke or some other brain injury type and look further into the cause.

By obtaining a specialty certification in neuroscience nursing, RNs show their commitment to the patient population under their care. It raises nurses professional status by demonstrating a level of expertise that others may not have, according to Anderson.

Neuroscience nursing is for the nurse who is really looking to make a difference, according to Anderson, not just in patients lives, but also in families lives.

Patients look to you as the expert and you need to be the expert, Anderson said. Thats where certification and continuing education becomes critical because if you dont know and you arent an expert how in the world are you going to help them?

Learn more about our Neuroscience Nursing Certification Review course, with class session starting several times throughout the year.

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Neuroscience nursing tackles mysteries of the brain - Nurse.com

Aspen Neuroscience, a new biotech company, has raised $6.5 million to develop cell therapies for Parkinsons disease using patients own cells.

The company was co-founded by renowned stem cell scientists Jeanne F. Loring, PhD, and Andres Bratt-Leal, PhD, and initially supported by Summit for Stem Cell, a non-profit organization that provides a variety of services for Parkinsons patients.

Parkinsons hallmark motor symptomsinclude tremor, slowness of movement (bradykinesia), stiffness (rigidity), uncontrollable movements (dyskinesia), and poor balance.

As the disease progresses, patients typically need to gradually increase their dopaminergic therapeutic dose for maximum benefit. Even after that they might sometimes experience reappearance or worsening of symptoms due to diminishing effects of dopaminergic therapy, known was off periods.

Importantly, dopaminergic therapy is delivered to areas of the brain other than the striatum, a key motor control region severely affected in Parkinsons disease. Because of the therapys off-target behavior, patients also may experience side effects such as hallucinations or cognitive impairment.

Aspen wants to combine its expertise in stem cell biology, genomics and neurology and develop the first autologous (self) stem cell-based therapy for Parkinsons disease.

In this type of cell therapy, a patients own cells (usually skin cells) are reprogrammed back into a stem cell-like state, which allows the development of an unlimited source of almost any type of human cell needed, including dopamine-producing neurons, which are those mainly affected by this disorder.

Because these cells are derived from patients, they do not carry the risk of being rejected once re-implanted, eliminating the need for immunosuppressive complementary therapies, which carry serious side effects such as infections and possibly limiting therapeutic potential.

In theory, replacing lost dopaminergic neurons with new stem cell-derived dopamine-producing ones could potentially ease or reverse motor symptoms associated with the disease.

Aspen is developing a restorative, disease modifying autologous neuron therapy for people suffering from Parkinsons disease, Howard J. Federoff, MD, PhD, Aspens CEO, said in a press release.

We are fortunate to have such a high-caliber scientific and medical leadership team to make our treatments a reality. Our cell replacement therapy, which originated in the laboratory of Dr. Jeanne Loring and was later supported by Summit for Stem Cell and its President, Ms. Jenifer Raub, has the potential to release dopamine and reconstruct neural networks where no disease-modifying therapies exist, Federoff said.

The companys lead product (ANPD001) is undergoing investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies for the treatment of sporadic Parkinsons disease. Aspen experts also are developing a gene-editing treatment (ANPD002) for familial forms of Parkinsons, starting with the most common genetic variant in the GBAgene, which provides instructions to make the enzyme beta-glucocerebrosidase.

The new seed funding round was led by Domain Associates and Axon Ventures, with additional participation from Alexandria Venture Investments, Arch Venture Partners, OrbiMed and Section 32, according to the press release.

With over three years of experience in the medical communications business, Catarina holds a BSc. in Biomedical Sciences and a MSc. in Neurosciences. Apart from writing, she has been involved in patient-oriented translational and clinical research.

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Ana holds a PhD in Immunology from the University of Lisbon and worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Instituto de Medicina Molecular (iMM) in Lisbon, Portugal. She graduated with a BSc in Genetics from the University of Newcastle and received a Masters in Biomolecular Archaeology from the University of Manchester, England. After leaving the lab to pursue a career in Science Communication, she served as the Director of Science Communication at iMM.

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Aspen Neuroscience Receives $6.5M for Parkinson's Stem Cell Therapy - Parkinson's News Today

RIT will use a substantial gift of real estate in Penfield to expand the universitys research and educational offerings in ecology, agriculture, sustainability and other fields. Amy Leenhouts Tait and Robert C. Tait have gifted to the university their 177-acre property, which will be dedicated as the Tait Preserve of RIT.

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New applied cognitive neuroscience course offered at RIT - RIT University News Services

How many productivity hacks have you tried this year?

Whether its a new app, morning workout, green smoothie or an inspiring podcast, there are a myriad of things that have been touted to improve our efficiency each day. But something you may not have considered is taking advantage of neuroscience to boost your productivity.

Its not a new concept; its been used in high-performing roles including by the military and Olympic athletes for years. But now the corporate world is starting to pay attention and looking into how we can rewire our brains to be more productive, specifically with neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity was first discovered in the 1940s by Donald Hebb and describes how our brains change in response to repeated experience.

The brain is designed to learn, grow and rewire throughout our lives, based on different experiences, and it has various neural pathways connecting different responses. For instance, when you eat a food you love, you respond with happiness, while being stuck in traffic might make you respond with anger. These behaviours are learned over time and science has shown we can rewire our brains to change these automatic responses and regulate our emotions with some training and practice. By taking advantage of your brains neuroplasticity, you can create new habits to help you be more productive.

Stress can be a huge enemy of efficiency and productivity. Many of us have experienced stress that temporarily inhibits our ability to think clearly, but you may not know just how much it affects your brain. Being in a state of stress forces the blood in the brain to be redirected away from our prefrontal cortex, and then our amygdala and adrenal glands start firing. This effectively puts us into fight or flight mode, dropping our intelligence and increasing our motor skills instead. These days, most stressful situations require us to use our minds rather than our bodies, so being able to change your brains response will help you manage stress more effectively.

As a first step you need to be aware of exactly what causes a stress reaction, so you can train yourself to react differently. Once this is clear, you can interrupt or redirect your brains response when faced with a trigger and replace it with a positive response. Imagine yourself in the stressful situation and follow it with happiness, laughter or calmness. You will need to repeat this hundreds of times for it to build a new pathway in your brain. But after some practice, you will be able to stop the stress before it affects you negatively, helping you be more productive.

No matter how hard we try, no one can be 100% productive, 100% of the time. We all have states of being more productive, whether its at a certain time of the day, working in a specific location, or listening to music. Learn your own habits and become self-aware about your productivity patterns.

A great way to expand your self-awareness is to try journaling, which creates a process of regular self-reflection. Keeping a journal helps you become more conscious of your strengths and weaknesses. Once you know your own behaviours, you can use it as an opportunity to enhance productivity.

Aside from these broader patterns, its important to be aware of your thoughts and emotions when working on a task that requires your focus. Being mindful involves being present in the moment, and tools such as slowing your breathing and focusing on something tangible that you can hold may help.

Mindfulness helps you be aware of yourself without any judgment, so you can notice your thoughts and remove any negative emotions. You can then focus on the task and what needs to be done next, helping you stay productive.

Meditation is a powerful tool to help you notice and observe your thoughts and behaviours, so you can then choose to change your responses. Meditating has been proven to change brain structure, particularly for those who practise it over a long period of time. This is because meditation increases the level of oxygen and nourishment in different areas of the brain, making it easier to sustain attention and redirect focus, and therefore better manage your emotions and be more productive.

Meditation rewires and trains your brain to be more disciplined and less stressed, with research showingjust five minutes each day can make a difference.

You might think you dont have the time to learn something new, but using your brain in a new way improves your cognition, making you more switched on and, in turn, more productive.

It doesnt need to be work related either, it can be something fun! You can learn a new language, play a new sport or even just read a new book each week. If you want it to be job related, you can organise company training or try an online course. Whatever you choose to do, it will rewire your brain and improve cognitive function. Keeping the brain fit will help you improve your efficiency both at work and at home.

NOW READ:How neuroscience can improve your business marketing today

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How to train your brain to be more productive - SmartCompany.com.au

Gary L. Dunbar, executive director of the Field Neurosciences Institute, part of Ascension St. Mary's, was recently presented with the Gusi Peace Prize International Award.

Dr. Dunbar recently traveled to Manila, Philippines to accept this honor at the Gusi Peace Prize International 20th Annual Awards Night.

The Gusi Peace Prize award is given by the Gusi Peace Prize Foundation to recognize individuals and organizations who contribute to global peace and progress through a wide variety of fields. Dunbar was one of 18 international recipients selected for the award and chosen because of his global contributions in both the educational and the research domains of neuroscience. Similarly, his contributions in research, especially for developing new strategies for treating damage to the nervous system, including transplantation of genetically altered adult stem cells as a potential therapy for injury to the brain and spinal cord as well as neurological deficits in Huntington's, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, has earned international recognition and a prominent leadership role in the American Society for Neural Therapy and Repair.

"I felt both honored and humbled to be selected for the Gusi Peace Prize, especially after meeting and hearing, first-hand, what the other 2019 Gusi Laureates have accomplished in the context of helping others, which was humbling to me," shared Dunbar. "The prize is given to those whose efforts have provided significant improvements to the lives of others through education, research, politics, and/or the arts, along with a strong commitment to humanitarian commitments, so I felt deeply honored to be included in this group of people."

Dunbar has been the executive director for the Field Neurosciences Institute since 2008. Martha Ann Joseph, Chair of the institute's board of directors, was thrilled to hear that Dunbar was a recipient of the Gusi Peace Prize International Award.

"(Field Neurosciences Institute) is blessed to have Dr. Dunbar as our executive director for the past 11 years as he has always embraced the mission of the organization, to help others in terms of preventing brain injury and searching for cures for neurological problems emanating from trauma and disease to the nervous system," Joseph said.

"Dr. Dunbar embodies the very premise of the Gusi award in attaining peace and dignity for fellow humans by his tireless devotion to finding new ways to treat a variety of neurological disorders and for his dedicated efforts in educating the next generation of neuroscientists, physicians, and health-care providers at the highest level," added E. Malcolm Field, Field Neurosciences Institute director.

Presently, Dunbar holds the John G. Kulhavi Professorship in Neuroscience, as well as the E. Malcolm Field Endowed Chair in Neuroscience at CMU.

The Gusi Peace Prize was founded by the Honorable Ambassador Barry Gusi, to honor and continue the work of his late father, Captain Gemeniano Javier Gusi, who fought against Japanese oppression during World War II and later championed human rights in the Philippines. For 20 years, the Gusi Peace Prize Award has been awarded to prominent individuals from all over the world who have made significant contributions to the betterment of humankind.

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International Peace Prize awarded to Ascension St. Mary's executive director - Midland Daily News