BRAIN-Brain Recovery Assistants Institute of Nevada

01/02/2026

At EmployNV, we’re here to help you ride into the future with the tools, resources, and support you need to make 2026 your most successful year yet!

12/29/2025

The 🧠 system that controls gait-why walking helps tell the truth.

Gait control is a hierarchical process involving the spinal cord's Central Pattern Generators-for rhythm, the brainstem for initiation (MLR, PPN), and higher brain centers for planning, adaptation, and error correction. This also includes-the cerebellum (coordination, balance), basal ganglia (fluidity, initiation), and cortex (attention, complex strategies).

Here are some key 🧠 systems and structures:
•Spinal Cord (CPGs): The fundamental rhythm generators, creating basic flexor-extensor leg movements.
•Brainstem (MLR, PPN): Initiates walking, scales its speed, and controls basic posture, receiving input from higher centers.
•Basal Ganglia: Helps initiate movement, ensures fluidity, and supports automaticity; involved in learning new gait patterns.
•Cerebellum: Crucial for timing, coordination, symmetry, and correcting errors in real-time; works with the brainstem and cortex.
•Motor Cortex (Primary, Premotor, Supplementary): Plans and executes precise limb movements, receiving input from other regions.
•Frontal & Parietal Cortex: Involved in planning, decision-making, attention, and integrating sensory information for navigation and adapting gait to the environment.

Examples of how it works:
•Intention & Planning: The prefrontal cortex decides to walk, sending signals to motor areas.
•Programming: Motor cortex, basal ganglia, and cerebellum collaborate to develop the motor program.
•Initiation & Rhythmic Control: Brainstem centers activate spinal CPGs, which command muscle groups in rhythmic patterns.
•Sensory Feedback: Vision, vestibular (balance), and proprioception (body position) constantly feed back to the cerebellum and cortex for adjustments.
•Adaptation: Higher cortical areas modify plans for obstacles or changes in terrain.

Overall, when any of these systems are impaired — especially after , , whiplash, or neurodegeneration - gait patterns become unstable-even before conscious symptoms appear, highlighting the 🧠 intricate role in walking.

One love

12/27/2025

Chronic negative thinking does more than affect mood. Psychology and neuroscience show it can physically change the brain. Long term patterns of rumination, pessimism, and constant self criticism are linked to reduced volume and activity in key brain areas such as the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. These regions are responsible for memory, emotional regulation, decision making, and stress control. When negative thinking becomes habitual, stress hormones like cortisol remain elevated, interfering with neural growth and healthy brain function.

However, the brain is not fixed. This is where neuroplasticity plays a critical role. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new neural connections in response to experience. Research shows that practices like gratitude and mindfulness can actively strengthen neural pathways associated with emotional balance and resilience. Even short daily practices can shift brain activity toward healthier patterns.

Gratitude has been shown to increase activity in the prefrontal cortex, improving emotional regulation and reducing stress reactivity. Mindfulness, which trains attention to the present moment without judgment, helps quiet overactive threat circuits in the brain. Brain imaging studies suggest measurable changes can occur within weeks, not years, when these practices are consistent.

Psychology emphasizes that this is not about forcing positivity. It is about redirecting attention and interrupting automatic negative loops. Each time the brain practices gratitude or mindful awareness, it reinforces alternative pathways that compete with chronic negative thinking. Over time, the brain learns which pathways to prioritize.

12/26/2025

The hidden link between: our neck, CSF flow, headaches, dizziness & 🧠 fog.

Most people think of brain health as purely neurological - chemistry, neurons, neurotransmitters. But modern research is revealing something much bigger:
• Your neck mechanics and head movement patterns directly influence cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow.
•Your deep suboccipital muscles connect to your spinal dura through a structure called the Myodural Bridge (MDB).
&
•Impaired CSF flow may contribute to headaches, dizziness, pressure sensations, brain fog, post-concussion symptoms, and chronic autonomic problems.

Here is the connection explained:
•CSF Flow & Mechanics: The neck's movement and posture directly influence how CSF circulates around the brain. Tight muscles or spinal misalignments can impede this fluid, creating pressure imbalances.
•Myodural Bridge: Muscles in the upper neck (suboccipital) connect to the dura mater (brain's covering) via the Myodural Bridge, linking neck mechanics to CSF dynamics.
•Blood Flow: Upper cervical issues can compress vertebral arteries, reducing oxygen and nutrient supply to the brain, contributing to brain fog and sluggishness.
•Nerve Interference: Misalignments can irritate nerves, including the vagus nerve and those in the brainstem, affecting digestion, balance, and cognition.

Having misalignment or instability (especially upper cervical) in our neck, can impede CSF drainage, causing waste buildup (brain fog, headaches, fatigue), restrict oxygen (dizziness, poor focus), irritate nerves, and disrupt autonomic signals, leading to cognitive issues, pressure, and dizziness by creating blockages or tension that prevents proper brain flushing and nutrient delivery.

Overall, our neck's alignment directly affects 🧠 health by influencing Cerebrospinal Fluid flow, blood flow (arterial/venous), and nerve signals.

One love

12/22/2025

12/20/2025

Administrative Assistant

Are you a passionate, caring individual looking to make a difference?
Brain Nevada is seeking a qualified Administrative Assistant with experience in administrative support to join our team. This role is essential in coordinating schedules and appointments while ensuring smooth daily operations through strong written and verbal communication.

About Brain Nevada

Brain Nevada is a unique program that takes a real-world, client-centered approach to care. Our services represent a continuum of support focused on empowerment, life skills, vocational services, and community reintegration. Our mission is to help individuals reach their highest level of independence and continue moving forward in life.

This program was pioneered by a family searching for hope and possibilities after being told there was no survival or meaningful life after brain injury. Today, Brain Nevada exists to prove that hope is possible.

Responsibilities & Skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Docs, Excel, and spreadsheets
• Schedule appointments and provide information to callers
• Handle sensitive and confidential information professionally
• Create and maintain organized files and documentation
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to work independently
• Comfortable working with multiple clients with unique personalities and disabilities
• Light travel and running errands as needed
• Willingness to obtain required certifications to work with vulnerable adults
• Manage multiple email accounts
• Write résumés, complete applications, and assist with job searches
• Plan meetings and prepare agendas
• Fundraising experience is a plus (training available)
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Bilingual is a plus but not required

Compensation
• $20–$25 per hour, depending on experience
• Preference given to candidates with a background in education, career development, coaching, social work, or someone who is simply the right caring fit for the role

How to Apply

Please send your résumé to Teresa@brainnevada.com
Or call (775) 473-1077

12/05/2025

Please congratulate one of this quarter's Heroes, Delany Chiu, Speech Language Pathologist, NeuroRestorative Nevada!
Delany displays integrity in everything she does. On one particular day, she assisted our Nevada program in coordinating a special outing for an individual so he could attend a Hamilton theater performance (his favorite show and music) with his dad. It was a Sunday, which is not usually a day therapy staff works. However, Delany was more than happy to volunteer to rearrange her work days in order to come in to transport him and make this possible for him and his dad. The tickets were expensive, and she didn't want to increase the cost of the outing, so she did not attend the show. Instead, Delany willingly drove them to the theater, returned back to the facility to complete treatments, then drove back to pick him up and return him to the facility. This day was such a special experience for this individual and His dad was so grateful to be able to share this experience with him!
Thank you, Delany, for your hard work. We are lucky to have you on our team!

12/03/2025

December 3rd marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a day to celebrate the incredible strength, resilience, and potential of over 1 billion people worldwide living with disabilities. 🌎💫

While progress continues, many still face barriers to education, employment, and basic rights. Let’s keep pushing for a world where everyone has equal access to opportunities and where inclusion is not just a goal, but a lived reality. 💙♿️✨

Visit aucd.org for more information!

12/01/2025

The individuals we serve volunteered for the I Believe Foundations annual hot dog sale!

The I Believe Foundation Ashland branch is a foundation that ensures school age kids/teenagers with different abilities all have the chance to participate in all the events and social activities kids their age do.

The individuals we serve worked on sequencing, task completion, problem solving, improved attention, balance and endurance, money management, social skills, and so much more therapeutic goals!

11/06/2025