Good science is our foundation - and our goal.

C8 Sciences is the exclusive provider of cognition cross-training programs based on research from Yale University.  Our programs have been designed by some of the world’s leading cognitive scientists to develop and strengthen the brain’s 8 Core Cognitive Capacities, and reflect the latest research into neuroplasticity – the remarkable ability of the brain to dynamically grow, change, heal, and accomplish complex tasks that sometimes seem all but impossible.

The brain is shaped through activity.

The study of neuroplasticity began over 50 years ago with Nobel-winning research that showed the effects of early life experiences the structure of the brain. Subsequent research has built a growing body of knowledge on this subject, and Yale Professor Bruce Wexler has been among these scientists doing pioneering work.

One early study of people born blind showed that their brains adapted to their lack of visual information by using the visual cortex to process auditory input. The white areas in this image show the visual cortex "lighting up" as they process auditory information.

Another early study showed that brains of musicians are literally shaped by their instrument. In that study, the keyboard player’s brain on the left had symmetrical shape, consistent with the symmetrical left and right brain processing requirements of the keyboard, while the string player’s brain on the right showed asymmetric development consistent with the different left and right hand neural system processing required by the violin.  The different instruments actually caused different brains.

Neuroplasticity is at its most dynamic in the youngest brains.  Thanks to neuroplasticity, very young children have a remarkable ability to not only handle complex tasks like learning multiple languages in ways that older brains cannot - but to overcome challenges like injury or neglect.  There is a window during early childhood when the brain is capable of extradordinary growth.

During the past 15 years, Dr. Wexler and others in the field of neuroscience have begun applying their knowledge to the goal of improving cognition in young children.  In his extensive research, Dr. Wexler has developed and used computer-based programs in clinical programs to measure and exercise all 8 Core Cognitive Capacities.  Two years ago he and Dr. Jinxia Dong developed the first prototype of C8Kids™ and tested it with children in Beijing – children who in a matter of weeks were shown to have marked improvements in speed of information processing and working memory equivalent to a gain of 10 IQ points.

Read more about how the science can be applied to dramatically help schools.