Brain Building Games

About the Book

It has long been known that cognitive (thinking and reasoning) stimulation of the brain’s cerebral cortex enhances the brain development of children and reduces degeneration with aging. In addition, competition enhances engagement. During long trips or while waiting, Heilman, a neurologist, along with his grandchildren, children, and son-in-law would play games. Studies of patients with brain injuries and functional brain imaging have revealed that different parts of the cerebral cortex perform different functions. We developed and selected games that we had fun playing, were competitive, did not need a computer or purchases, and stimulate different specific areas of the brain. In this book, we describe areas of the cerebral cortex and their functions. We then describe some games that may stimulate these areas, as well as provide enjoyment.

About the Author

Kenneth M. Heilman (senior author), received his MD degree from the University of Virginia (1963), trained in internal medicine at Cornell-Bellevue, was an Air Force captain and Chief of Medicine at NATO Hospital, İzmir, Turkey (1965–1967). He took his neurology residency/fellowship at the Harvard Neurological Unit and joined the faculty at the University of Florida in 1970. Currently, he is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Florida and a staff neurologist at the NF/SG-Veterans Affairs Medical Center. In addition to patient care and teaching (students, residents and fellows), he performs research. He is the author/editor of seventeen books, one hundred chapters, and six hundred journal publications. He has received many honors-award from several neurological and neuropsychology societies. The co-authors are Heilman’s grandchildren: Brooke Wilson (age 17), Ashton Wilson (age 15), Ethan Wilson (age 13) and his son-in-law Dr. James Bradley Wilson, a family physician.