http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/201...184220.htm

"Further study is warranted," he stressed, noting that brain imaging studies would be helpful in confirming the brain changes that the behavioral tests seem to indicate, "but this seems to be strong evidence for the idea that we may be able to modify our own minds to improve our cognitive processing -- most importantly in the ability to sustain attention and vigilance -- within a week's time."

Original: Mindfulness meditation improves cognition: Evidence of brief mental training

A little anecdotal evidence I found while doing some research on the subject.

Another thing I've found that really improves cognition is exercise.

On days I do a run or sprint workout, I've noticed a big increase in concentration and memory.

Combining it wit mediation sounds like a wicked combo.

Have you read Zen and the Brain by: James Austin ? It's not about improved cognition, per se, but about possible mechanisms for long term changes in the brain brought about by Zen meditation. It's a little bit dated now, a little over a decade old, but it was a great read when I got hold of it in the early 2000's, and tangentially related to the subject at hand.

I'll check it out. Looks like they've written multiple books on the topic. I'm wary of the topic, though, as a general rule...

I know Damasio and the Dalai Lama are in a book together: Consciousness at the Crossroads: Conversations with the Dalai Lama on Brainscience and Buddhism - Haven't read it though.

There's certainly a lot of pseudoscience on the subject, but Austin's book was good. That's interesting about the Damasio book, seeing as I'm a huge fan of his and was unaware of it.

Zen and the Brain by: James Austin -> The book is 827 pages long
Is there a shorter version, or could sy summarize the gist of the book?

All the Dalai Lama books on neuroscience say essentially the same thing: modern science doesn't contradict Buddhism, and even gives credibility to some of it's practices (such as zazen). Any book by the Dalai Lama is worth a read IMO, just confirm the scientific assertions for yourself.

On "Zen and the Brain" from wikipedia...
'The publishers described their book as a "Comprehensive text on the evidence from neuroscience that helps to clarify which brain mechanisms underlie the subjective states of Zen, and employs Zen to 'illuminate' how the brain works in various states of consciousness"'

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Also see Transform Your Mind, Change Your Brain "Neuroplasticity and Personal Transformation" at GoogleTechTalks (posted here a week ago).

"If science proves facts that conflict with Buddhist understanding, Buddhism must change accordingly. We should always adopt a view that accords with the facts,"
-The Dalai Lama