Research suggesting that mental exercise can delay cognitive decline is helping to bolster a growing industry of software designed to improve brain function. The market for such software already has grown to $265 million in the U.S.
Experts say employers increasingly are looking to brain-boosting software as a cost-effective way to improve workers' mental health and productivity. In addition, an aging population of baby boomers is helping to drive up demand for computer programs that assess cognitive impairment in patients with Alzheimer's disease and other conditions.
In an iHealthBeat Special Report by Deirdre Kennedy, experts discussed how software can delay cognitive decline.
The Special Report includes comments from:
- Alvaro Fernandez, CEO and co-founder of the cognitive fitness firm SharpBrains;
- Kathleen Herath, associate vice president of health and productivity at Nationwide Insurance;
- David Rabiner, Duke University senior researcher and expert in attention deficit disorder; and
- David Whitehouse, chief medical officer of UnitedHealth Group's OptumHealth (Kennedy, iHealthBeat, 7/8).
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