Welcome to the October 2022 Learning Brain News.

October is Dyslexia Month, and so this edition has four items about dyslexia, including a helpful checklist. You can also read about complex ADHD, and how gamer's brains can sync up even if they are not physically present with each other.

Kind regards,

The Learning Brain News Team
PS: Thomas The Tank Engine has his first autistic friend, Bruno The Brake Car.

How COVID-19 Changed Young People's Personalities 

A research team at the Florida State University College of Medicine found the COVID-19 pandemic appeared to cause personality changes, especially in younger adults.

Their study showed the pandemic made younger adults moodier, more prone to stress, less cooperative and trusting and less restrained and responsible.

Tests Use Dr. Seuss To Probe Speech Perception

The study in NeuroImage describes how listening and watching a narrator read ‘The Lorax” by Dr Seiss activates an extensive network of brain regions involved in sensory processing, multisensory integration, and cognitive functions associated with the comprehension of the story content. 

Understanding the involvement of this larger network has the potential to give researchers new ways to investigate neurodevelopmental disorders.

People's Brains Sync Up When Gaming Together, Even When Nobody's There

A new study has shown that people playing a cooperative game together online can achieve brainwave synchronization, even when they're in total isolation.

This type of synchronization is usually associated with social interaction, and is important to a healthy society because it's linked to better empathy and cooperation.

But this new research suggests it doesn't only happen when we're face to face.

What Makes Memories Stronger?

Your experiences in the world are based on information received through a combination of senses: sight, touch, hearing, taste and smell.

Some memories seem seared into our brains, while others are fleeting wisps of recollection. Learn what affects the strength and duration of memories.

What Is Complex ADHD?

ADHD rarely occurs in isolation. Most children and adults with ADHD have one or more co-occurring conditions. “Complex ADHD” is a relatively new term that reflects this phenomenon. Learn about complex ADHD, including how it is diagnosed, and how clinicians should approach treatment.

Which One Is Correct? Speling? Spieling? Spelling? Spealing?

For some folk, these words: Speling, Spieling, Spelling, Spealing,  look so similar that it’s very confusing.

Good spelling is vital because it allows the writer to focus on what they want to say. It frees up brain space for their ideas to flourish.