Embedded Files
Week 1: Orientation and class information (Minoo)
Week 2: Brain Myths Quiz – What’s Fact and What’s Fiction: This lesson tackles common brain myths and misconceptions, focusing on exaggerated claims about memory, intelligence, and brain function. It explores the scientific truths behind these myths and examines how misconceptions influence our perceptions of cognition, aging, and memory. By examining these myths through critical thinking, students will gain a clearer, evidence-based understanding of how the brain truly works. (Minoo)
Week 3: Latest Advances in Brain Research: Explore the newest discoveries in neuroscience, from breakthroughs in memory and aging to how lifestyle choices may slow cognitive decline. Learn how today’s brain science is shaping the future of healthy aging, and walk away with practical, science-backed strategies you can apply in daily life. (Sharon)
Week 3: Latest Advances in Brain Research: Explore the newest discoveries in neuroscience, from breakthroughs in memory and aging to how lifestyle choices may slow cognitive decline. Learn how today’s brain science is shaping the future of healthy aging, and walk away with practical, science-backed strategies you can apply in daily life. (Sharon)
Week 4: How Stress & Socioeconomic Pressure Impact the Brain: This lesson explores how chronic stress and financial or social pressures affect brain structure, memory, and emotional regulation. Students will learn practical strategies to reduce stress and support brain resilience over time. Grounded in the science of allostatic load, we’ll examine how long-term exposure to adversity—such as poverty or systemic inequality—can reshape the brain, while also highlighting evidence-based ways to promote recovery and mental strength. (Erika)
Week 4: How Stress & Socioeconomic Pressure Impact the Brain: This lesson explores how chronic stress and financial or social pressures affect brain structure, memory, and emotional regulation. Students will learn practical strategies to reduce stress and support brain resilience over time. Grounded in the science of allostatic load, we’ll examine how long-term exposure to adversity—such as poverty or systemic inequality—can reshape the brain, while also highlighting evidence-based ways to promote recovery and mental strength. (Erika)
Week 5: Getting Involved in Clinical Trials for Brain Research: This lesson demystifies misconceptions about clinical trials and highlights the important role that both healthy volunteers and affected participants play in advancing science. It will also feature examples of clinical trials currently happening in San Diego that are actively seeking participants. (Charisse)
Week 5: Getting Involved in Clinical Trials for Brain Research: This lesson demystifies misconceptions about clinical trials and highlights the important role that both healthy volunteers and affected participants play in advancing science. It will also feature examples of clinical trials currently happening in San Diego that are actively seeking participants. (Charisse)
Week 6: Habits & the Brain – How They Form and How to Break Them: Learn the science behind habit formation and how the brain develops and maintains habitual behaviors. Students will explore the neural pathways involved, the role of reinforcement, and the power of repetition. The session also covers strategies for breaking unhealthy habits and building positive ones, focusing on neuroplasticity and practical techniques for lasting change. (Minoo)
Week 6: Habits & the Brain – How They Form and How to Break Them: Learn the science behind habit formation and how the brain develops and maintains habitual behaviors. Students will explore the neural pathways involved, the role of reinforcement, and the power of repetition. The session also covers strategies for breaking unhealthy habits and building positive ones, focusing on neuroplasticity and practical techniques for lasting change. (Minoo)
Week 7: Gender & the Brain – Biological, Social & Transgender Research: This lesson explores how gender is shaped by both biology and lived experience, including how the brain contributes to identity. Key concepts—such as gender identity, transgender identity, gender dysphoria, and gender euphoria—will be defined. Students will also learn about emerging brain research on gender diversity and the importance of gender-affirming care to support mental health and cognitive well-being. (Erika)
Week 7: Gender & the Brain – Biological, Social & Transgender Research: This lesson explores how gender is shaped by both biology and lived experience, including how the brain contributes to identity. Key concepts—such as gender identity, transgender identity, gender dysphoria, and gender euphoria—will be defined. Students will also learn about emerging brain research on gender diversity and the importance of gender-affirming care to support mental health and cognitive well-being. (Erika)
Week 8: AI & the Brain – How Technology Can Support Lifelong Learning: Technology can be a powerful ally in keeping the mind sharp. Learn how AI and smart tools—such as brain games, learning apps, and voice assistants—help older adults stay mentally active, independent, and curious at any age. (Sharon)
Week 8: AI & the Brain – How Technology Can Support Lifelong Learning: Technology can be a powerful ally in keeping the mind sharp. Learn how AI and smart tools—such as brain games, learning apps, and voice assistants—help older adults stay mentally active, independent, and curious at any age. (Sharon)
Week 9: Repurposing GLP-1 Inhibitors for Weight Loss and Cognition: Metabolic and vascular risk factors—including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease—negatively impact brain health. This lesson will describe how repurposed diabetes medications such as Ozempic and Zepbound show promise for weight loss, reduced cardiovascular risk, and improved brain health. (Charisse)
Week 9: Repurposing GLP-1 Inhibitors for Weight Loss and Cognition: Metabolic and vascular risk factors—including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease—negatively impact brain health. This lesson will describe how repurposed diabetes medications such as Ozempic and Zepbound show promise for weight loss, reduced cardiovascular risk, and improved brain health. (Charisse)
Week 10: Navigating Grief – Harnessing Brain Resilience While Coping with Loss: This session explores how grief impacts the brain, particularly in emotional regulation, memory, and decision-making. It examines neurological changes during mourning and how prolonged grief can affect cognition. Students will learn practical approaches such as mindfulness, support groups, physical activity, and allowing space for healing. (Minoo)
Week 10: Navigating Grief – Harnessing Brain Resilience While Coping with Loss: This session explores how grief impacts the brain, particularly in emotional regulation, memory, and decision-making. It examines neurological changes during mourning and how prolonged grief can affect cognition. Students will learn practical approaches such as mindfulness, support groups, physical activity, and allowing space for healing. (Minoo)
Week 11: Parkinson’s Disease – Early Signs, Brain Changes & Treatment: Recognize the early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease—such as subtle changes in movement, speech, and mood—and learn what’s happening in the brain as the disease develops. The session covers current treatments, promising therapies in development, and everyday strategies to improve quality of life. (Sharon)
Week 11: Parkinson’s Disease – Early Signs, Brain Changes & Treatment: Recognize the early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease—such as subtle changes in movement, speech, and mood—and learn what’s happening in the brain as the disease develops. The session covers current treatments, promising therapies in development, and everyday strategies to improve quality of life. (Sharon)
Week 12: Menopause & Brain Health: This lesson describes how menopause changes the body and how these changes affect brain health in the long term. (Charisse)
Week 12: Menopause & Brain Health: This lesson describes how menopause changes the body and how these changes affect brain health in the long term. (Charisse)
Week 13: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Improve Mental Health: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps individuals overcome avoidant and safety-seeking behaviors while addressing underlying faulty beliefs. This session breaks down key CBT techniques and their applications for improved mental well-being. (Charisse)
Week 13: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Improve Mental Health: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps individuals overcome avoidant and safety-seeking behaviors while addressing underlying faulty beliefs. This session breaks down key CBT techniques and their applications for improved mental well-being. (Charisse)
Week 14: Traveling & the Brain – How Exploring New Places Impacts Our Minds and Dementia: Explore the cognitive and emotional benefits of travel, including stimulation of memory, sensory processing, and problem-solving. This session highlights travel’s potential role in dementia prevention through neuroplasticity, while also showing how both physical and virtual travel experiences enhance brain function, mood, and resilience—even for those with dementia. (Minoo)
Week 14: Traveling & the Brain – How Exploring New Places Impacts Our Minds and Dementia: Explore the cognitive and emotional benefits of travel, including stimulation of memory, sensory processing, and problem-solving. This session highlights travel’s potential role in dementia prevention through neuroplasticity, while also showing how both physical and virtual travel experiences enhance brain function, mood, and resilience—even for those with dementia. (Minoo)
Week 15: What Skin, Nails & Nutrition Reveal About Brain and Body Health: Our skin and nails can reveal surprising clues about overall health. This lesson highlights how changes in their condition may signal nutritional deficiencies or systemic issues that affect cognition, energy, and mood. Students will learn how hydration, vitamins, and diet play vital roles in both appearance and brain function. (Erika)
Week 15: What Skin, Nails & Nutrition Reveal About Brain and Body Health: Our skin and nails can reveal surprising clues about overall health. This lesson highlights how changes in their condition may signal nutritional deficiencies or systemic issues that affect cognition, energy, and mood. Students will learn how hydration, vitamins, and diet play vital roles in both appearance and brain function. (Erika)
Week 16: Natural Remedies & Brain Health – Science vs. Tradition: Many natural remedies have deep cultural roots. This lesson explores traditional uses of herbs and plants for memory, focus, and mood, and compares them with modern scientific research. Students will learn which remedies are supported by evidence and how to use them safely for brain health. (Erika)
Week 16: Natural Remedies & Brain Health – Science vs. Tradition: Many natural remedies have deep cultural roots. This lesson explores traditional uses of herbs and plants for memory, focus, and mood, and compares them with modern scientific research. Students will learn which remedies are supported by evidence and how to use them safely for brain health. (Erika)
Week 17: Caregiving & Cognitive Load – Nurturing Your Brain While Supporting Others: This lesson explores the link between caregiving and brain health, highlighting how supporting others can build resilience, problem-solving skills, and emotional strength. Students will learn self-care strategies, stress management tools, and boundary-setting techniques to protect brain function while caregiving. (Minoo)
Week 17: Caregiving & Cognitive Load – Nurturing Your Brain While Supporting Others: This lesson explores the link between caregiving and brain health, highlighting how supporting others can build resilience, problem-solving skills, and emotional strength. Students will learn self-care strategies, stress management tools, and boundary-setting techniques to protect brain function while caregiving. (Minoo)
Week 18: Review & Summary: A comprehensive review and wrap-up of all topics covered. (All Instructors)
Week 18: Review & Summary: A comprehensive review and wrap-up of all topics covered. (All Instructors)
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