brain training is important for smart aging

brain training with visual feedback provides benefits to

Brain diagram
01
Working memory
02
Reasoning
03
Emotional control
04
Attention
05
Executive function
MORE THAN JUST BRAIN GAMES

real-time visual feedback

It seems intuitive that brain training would be beneficial for mental acuity. But how do we know what brain training activities are actually working?

There are many options on the market for “brain training”, however Thinkie is the first user-friendly system that gives essential visual feedback in real-time.

01
Complete visual feedback loop for brain training
02
Uses functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS)
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Combine training programs for more beneficial effects
04
Visual feedback signals visualized as colors
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Measures blood flow to pre-frontal cortex
05
Improvement to a wide range of mental acuity functions
science band smile
functional near-infrared spectroscopy • fNIRS

How it works

fNIRS technology works by measuring the near-infrared light irradiation and detection of light throughput due to hemoglobin. These cerebral blood flow volume changes indicate increases or decreases in neural activity.

These measurements tell us how much activity is happening in the brain at any given time on a continuous feedback loop. At the end of the brain training session, the program reports back how much brain activity you achieved in that session’s cognitive training, as well as over time. It is not the same for everyone!

Likewise, Thinkie gives important feedback on what activities were not effective in activating high brain activity for that individual, thus taking the guesswork out of the equation and leading to much more efficient brain training.

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27 years in development

fnirs technology miniaturized

The Thinkie sensor, developed over a span of 27 years and based on functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) technology, continually measures the blood flow in the prefrontal cortex as the activity is taking place, and provides an immediate visual representation of that brain activity level.

Thinkie Inc has been able to adapt this complex technology to a safe product that can be used by people of all ages to monitor their activities to improve mental acuity.

“After many years of R&D, we have developed an ultra-compact functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) sensor that is safe and user-friendly. It is the first of its kind.”

Dr Kenny headshot
Kenny Hasegawa
CEO NeU Corporation • Former Director Hitachi fNIRS Consumer Development

FNIRS DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE

The research that led to the present-day, ultra compact Thinkie sensor first began in 1995 in Hitachi’s Central Research Laboratories.

1995
The Early Technology
2007
Wearable Technology Trial
2009
Academia and Commerce Unite
2014
Brain Science Business at Hitachi
2015
Commercial Success
2017
Continued Research & Development at NeU
2021
University of California, Santa Barbara Research
2022
Launch of Brain Science Business in North America

the Specialists

Dr. Kawashima:
the brain behind the thinkie brain games

01
Tohoku University • Japan
MD/School of Medicine
Executive Director/Smart Aging Research Center Professor/Division of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
02
Karolinska Institute • Sweden
Guest Researcher
03
Specialty Training in Neurophysiology
04
Expert in Brain Imaging
05
Published Neuroscientist
06
Famous for Brain Age puzzle games by Nintendo
DR Kawashima
DR Hsegawa

Kiyoshi Hasegawa:
the brain behind the thinkie band

1985
Waseda University School of Commerce/Japan      
1985
Hitachi Consumer Home Appliance Division
1990
President of Sales & Marketing/Hitachi Home Electronics and Business Equipment/USA
1998
Returned to Hitachi Headquarters/Japan
2007
Appointed Chief Corporate Business Creator for Hitachi Headquarters
2009
Unit Chief/Established Hitachi Brain Science Division
2017
Established NeU Corp. and appointed as CEO

Published Studies

Brain Training is Better with Neurofeedback

2021 STUDY TOHOKU UNIVERSITY & UNIVERSITÉ DE LORRAINE

Cognitive Training with Neurofeedback Using NIRS Improved Cognitive Functions in Young Adults: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Source: Brain Sci. Cognitive Training with Neurfeedback Using NIRS Improved Cognitive Functions in Young dults: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial 2022, 12, 5.

Thinkie Brain Games Are Better Than Tetris

2021 STUDY - UCSB

This report provides methods, measures and results pertaining to the Effects of Cognitive Training (ECT) study whose aim is to investigate the effects of engaging in 4-weeks of the app-based ABC program (Thinkie) vs. playing Tetris. The study, sponsored by Mitsui, was conducted by Drs. Acevedo and Collins in the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Data collection for this project began in May 2021 and ended approximately December 15, 2021.

Methods
All procedures were reviewed and approved by the Human Subjects Committee (the IRB) of the University of California, Santa Barbara (IRB #: 65 - 20 - 0856) Participants were 125, right-handed individuals, ages 54-84, living independently, and in relatively good health. Participants were recruited via list servs, community groups, social media, advertisements in the Santa Barbara community, and via independent living organizations.

Source: Effects of Cognitive Training Study: Final Reprot by Mitsui by Acevado, B & Collins, N. (January, 2022)

It Matters What Brain Training Activities You Do

2020 STUDY TOHOKU UNIVERSITY

Many would think doing anything on a screen equally benefits the brain. The results of this research speak volumes otherwise. Only when we can measure the effects of the activities can we participate in meaningful brain training. That is why fNIRS neurofeedback technology is so important and why we use it in the Thinkie system.

Source: Brain Sci, Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Activity during a Brain Training Game Predicts Cognitive Improvements after Four Weeks Brain Training Game Intervention: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial 2020, 10, 560