{"id":248125,"date":"2026-01-20T13:47:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T13:47:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/248125\/"},"modified":"2026-01-20T13:47:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T13:47:09","slug":"how-an-avalanche-of-science-buried-brain-exercise-skeptics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/248125\/","title":{"rendered":"How an Avalanche of Science Buried Brain Exercise Skeptics"},"content":{"rendered":"

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Brain training reached a turning point in 2025, after years of accumulating evidence snowballed into an avalanche of scientific validation. A surge of new research about the brain exercise app BrainHQ\u00a0has helped erode skepticism<\/a>, following a record-breaking 70 peer-reviewed publications in science and medical journals in 2025. That volume reflects more than momentum; it signals an emerging consensus, according to\u00a0Posit Science<\/a>, the maker of BrainHQ<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"YearInReview_Avalanche_V2<\/p>\n

Notable publications from 2025 include breakthrough studies demonstrating benefits of BrainHQ in cognitive aging and neurodegenerative conditions, uncovering the underlying biochemical mechanism behind those gains, and showing how BrainHQ strengthens cognitive resilience in the face of brain health stressors.<\/p>\n

\u201cThousands of scientists were involved in designing, testing, and validating the exercises and assessments in BrainHQ over the past two decades, and we are grateful to the entire global team,\u201d said Dr. Henry Mahncke<\/a>, CEO of Posit Science. \u201cApparently, 2025 was the year we \u2018crossed the chasm\u2019 \u2014 the evidence has grown so large that independent reviews are increasingly reaching the same conclusion: these exercises work.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reviews and Meta-Analyses<\/p>\n

In 2025, 16 meta-analyses and reviews cited many BrainHQ studies in drawing larger conclusions about cognitive training, including for example:<\/p>\n

Cognitive Training Studies<\/p>\n

Beyond reviews, dozens of studies using BrainHQ exercises were published about BrainHQ\u2019s impact on cognition, psychological resilience, physical health, biochemical brain health and other topics, including:<\/p>\n

A widely covered<\/a> neuroimaging study<\/a> which showed that BrainHQ training is the first intervention of any kind to upregulate the production of acetylcholine (the \u201cpay attention\u201d chemical, known to downregulate with aging and plummet with dementia) \u2014 with only 10 weeks of training showing a gain researchers said was equivalent to about a decade of rejuvenation and proposed as the biochemical mechanism for BrainHQ\u2019s efficacy. These results triggered NIA funding of a follow-on study in pre-dementia, to see if it might alter the course of decline.A large, multidomain lifestyle modification trial, the US POINTER study<\/a> sponsored by the Alzheimer\u2019s Association, which deployed BrainHQ as the cognitive training alongside a modified Mediterranean Diet and physical exercise, found significant improvement in global cognition.Studies on fatigue and stress, respectively, among patients with multiple sclerosis<\/a> and among caregivers of dementia patients,<\/a>A study among active-duty military,<\/a> which showed BrainHQ (on its own and in combination with SMART\u00ae Training) improved multiple measures of cognitive resilience \u2014 a critical health and readiness priority of the US military. <\/p>\n

Assessment Studies<\/p>\n

Even though BrainHQ exercises track progress across multiple cognitive domains, an important component of any long-term brain health strategy depends on ongoing, scalable monitoring that can be done anytime, anywhere. BrainHQ has developed, normed, and validated dozens of specialized cognitive assessments. These self-administered assessments take as little as three minutes and can be combined into customized cognitive batteries tailored to different needs.<\/p>\n

In 2025, six studies of BrainHQ assessments were published, notably including:<\/p>\n

More than 100 additional studies of BrainHQ are currently underway.<\/p>\n

BrainHQ exercises and assessments have shown benefits in more than 300 peer-reviewed studies<\/a>. Such benefits include<\/a> gains in cognition (attention, speed, memory, decision-making), in quality of life (depressive symptoms, confidence and control, health-related quality of life) and in real-world activities (health outcomes, balance, driving, workplace activities). BrainHQ is used by leading health plans, medical centers, clinics, and communities, and by elite athletes, the military, and other organizations focused on peak performance and resilience. Consumers can try a free BrainHQ exercise daily at https:\/\/www.brainhq.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/NewsRoom\/AttachmentNg\/f44866a6-8526-42f9-b895-9cbadc2cc683<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

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