Article by Gene Millen

It may be time for some brain training.

A new survey indicates that Americans are more worried about Alzheimer’s disease than they are about having a heart attack.

And for good reason.

Alzheimer’s affects One in eight adults over 65. Those who are spared know they may end up with the burden of caring for a parent or a spouse who is affected.

Even though the number of older adults with dementias is rising rapidly, only a few drugs that have been approved to treat symptoms are on the market, and they slow down the disease but do not cure it.

Researchers, however, are more optimistic than ever about the potential of the aging brain, because recent evidence has challenged long-held beliefs by demonstrating that with brain training the brain can grow new nerve cells.

“For a long time, we held the assumption that we’re born with all the nerve cells we’re ever going to have, and that the brain is not capable of generating new ones — that once these cells die we’re unable to replace them,” said Molly V. Wagster, chief of the Neuropsychology of Aging branch of the National Institute on Aging. “Those assumptions have been challenged and put by the wayside.”

The birth of new nerve cells, she said, “has been shown to occur in the adult — not only in adult rats and monkeys, but also in older adult humans.” Most of the areas that show neurogenesis and that have been investigated so far are important for learning and memory, particularly the hippocampus, she added.

So how does one stimulate neurogenesis?

Studies of older people who have maintained their mental acuity provide some clues to brain training. They tend to be socially connected, with strong ties to relatives, friends and community. They are often both physically healthy and physically active. And they tend to be engaged in stimulating or intellectually challenging activities.

Some studies that have introduced older adults to brain exercise regimens have reported remarkable results. Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign recruited a group of sedentary adults between the ages of 60 and 75, assigning half of them to an aerobic exercise program that met three times a week to walk, while a control group did anaerobic stretching and toning.

The scientists measured the group’s cognitive function before and after the six-month program and found improvements among those who had done the walking.

“Six months of exercise will buy you a 15 to 20 percent improvement in memory, decision-making ability and attention,” said Arthur F. Kramer, a professor of psychology at the University of Illinois.

“It will also buy you increases in the volume of various brain regions in the prefrontal and temporal cortex, and more efficient neuronetworks that support the kind of cognition we examined.”

Other studies have found improvements in cognitive function after a combined regimen of physical exercise and cognitive training.

Regular physical activity may improve brain function, both by increasing blood flow to the brain and stimulating the production of hormones and nerve growth factors involved in neurogenesis.

Animal studies have found that physically active animals have better memories and more cells in their hippocampus. Exercise also plays a role in countering diseases like Type 2 diabetes, which increases the risk of dementia.

Seeking out stimulation through interesting work, volunteer opportunities or continuing education is beneficial. Travel, read, take up a new language or learn to play a musical instrument. Staying socially connected is also associated with brain health, as is managing stress effectively.

One of the most enjoyable brain training methods is by playing scientific brain games.

Do they work? Some just don’t live up their advertising but I’ve found a couple of brain training games that have the research studies to back them up, won’t cost you an arm or a leg…and just may change your brain for the better.

Brain be nimble, brain be quick.Quicker than lightning, never missing a trick!

University of Michigan professor John Jonides shares his findings that show one can train their brain and increase short-term memory. Here are the links to the n-back tests mentioned in the video. dual-n-back.com brainworkshop.sourceforge.net
Video Rating: 5 / 5

Related Brain Training Articles