Brain Fitness
NeU‘s SOLUTION: the next generation of personalized brain training is finally here!
Brain Training, also known as Brain Fitness, is needed to keep your brain healthy, and it is important to regularly check the state of your brain and to train your brain accordingly. At NeU, we utilize an ultra-compact brain activity sensor that can be used in any environment to provide products and services based on scientific evidence.
“Brain fitness” is measuring the activity of the brain in real-time while performing brain training to support, maintain and improve cognitive functions. In addition to maintaining a healthy body, NeU believes in the importance of daily brain training activities to maintain and improve one’s quality of life, ultimately leading to longevity. Please note: our devices are not meant for medical use.
“Brain fitness” will change your future!
The next generation of brain training programs involves visualizing brain activity to increase the effects of brain training.
What is brain training or brain fitness? Since the early 2000s, brain training has spread throughout the world and into various fields. In order to keep your brain healthy and in top condition, it is important to check the condition of your brain and to train your brain regularly. At NeU, we provide products and services based on scientific evidence by utilizing an ultra-compact brain sensor that can be used daily in any environment. Since brain activity changes under different conditions throughout the day, it was difficult to detect the effectiveness of brain training programs. However, real-time visualization of the brain’s activity is finally possible with NeU’s advanced technologies and applications.
Development and service provisions based on scientific evidence from the results of many years of research by Dr. Ryuta Kawashima, CTO of NeU and a world-renowned pioneer in brain exercise programs.
Director, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer (IDAC), Tohoku University.
Dr. Kawashima completed the Graduate School of Medicine at Tohoku University, then worked as an assistant, lecturer and professor at the Karolinska Institute in the Kingdom of Sweden as well as the Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, where he has been the director of the Institute since 2014. Dr. Kawashima is also a world-renowned leader in brain training with notable examples such as the Nintendo DS game software “Adult DS training to train the brain”. He is also Japan’s leading researcher in brain function development research and has applied the knowledge gained from his research to industry-academia collaboration.
A focus on the cerebral cortex that controls humanity or “being human”.
The structure of the brain is said to be three-layer with the outermost cerebral cortex as the source of humanity or “being human” and controls higher functions.
Cognitive function is controlled by the prefrontal cortex.
The prefrontal cortex, which is part of the frontal lobe in the cerebral cortex, controls cognitive functions such as memory, thinking, attention and inhibition. The decline of the prefrontal cortex leads to a decline in cognitive function.
The peak of cognitive function is 20 years old
The prefrontal cortex peaks at the age of 20 and declines rapidly after the age of 50 due to the decrease in fluid intelligence which is more significant than the improvement in crystalline intelligence. However, no matter what the age, you can still maintain your fluid intelligence through regular brain training.
Latest research on “brain training” (1).
The effects of brain training have been shown to be associated with prefrontal cortex activity during specific training tasks. However, some individual’s prefrontal cortex may not be active even if they do the same brain training as others who show more brain activity. Since firm functioning and activation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is essential for maintaining and improving cognitive function, our brain training provides a more personalized training method by incorporating a technology called “neurofeedback”.
Latest research on “brain training” (2).
Studies have shown that performing brain training for a period of time increases brain volume and improves cognitive function.
The XB-01 (Ex-Brain)
NeU has developed an ultra-compact and lightweight brain sensor to measure and visualize brain activity in real-time!
Ultra-compact, weighing only 30 grams (battery included) and measuring 80 X 40 X 13 mm with a unique “butterfly-style” design that bends in the middle to conform easily to any individual’s forehead. To properly perform brain training, it is important that brain training is performed when the brain is active, and by measuring brain activity with a sensor, you can further enhance the effects and results of the brain training program.
The principle behind the brain sensor is its ability to measure the brain’s blood flow with light.
Oxygen and glucose are essential for brain cells to work, and the brain continuously accelerates and boosts blood flow in an attempt to quickly deliver oxygen and glucose in the prefrontal cortex. When blood flow in the brain is active, the brain is in a state that is activated. Thus, brain sensors can measure whether or not the prefrontal cortex has an increase in blood flow.
The Active Brain CLUB
“Active Brain CLUB” incorporates NeU’s latest brain science:
The “Active Brain CLUB” is a new service that uses NeU’s XB-01 to provide cognitive function training while measuring brain activity (neurofeedback) and is intended for those who want to maintain their brain functions and/or improve their work performance.
The contents are based on the knowledge of brain science and the training structure incorporates neurofeedback technology so that users can motivate themselves to increase their brain activity by visualizing their brain activity in real-time. Moreover, training logs are recorded on the server so that individuals can see any changes in their performance score and brain activity score as a result of the training, resulting in better self-awareness.
How neurofeedback works:
The brain activity is displayed in the background through changes in the color of the screen, in real-time.
The Brain Meter:
The Active Brain CLUB also includes an application called the “Brain Meter”, which allows users to visualize brain activity during various tasks and drills. This “Brain Meter” is also a useful tool to find contents such as tasks and drills that are best suited for each individual.