Do Brain Exercises Help Prevent Dementia?

While more evidence is needed, there are signs that brain exercises and learning new skills can help prevent dementia.  Recent data, such as the ACTIVE study (with ~2,800 patients aged 65+) show cognitive benefits lasting up to 5 years for seniors engaged in brain exercises, with reports of these gains translating more broadly into their everyday lives.  Other studies have shown that before symptoms appear, seniors can reduce the risk or even prevent dementia by keeping mentally active and learning new skills.  These should be new skills and activities that help you to learn new things– crossword puzzles, sudoku and reading books from your favorite author aren’t necessarily enough.  New forms of exercise, dance, learning musical instruments or a new foreign language can help slow the erosion of brain cells and create new neural connections, which can reduce or prevent dementia.  In addition to the positive health benefits, each of these activities can help you live a more full and rich life.

Read More:  http://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/guide/preventing-dementia-brain-exercises

 

Were you aware that learning new skills and keeping your mind active could prevent dementia and reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s?  Please share your thoughts in the comments below!

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‘Brain game’ company distances itself from industry backlash with evidence of cognitive improvement, seeks FDA approval

NeuroRacer game shows enduring cognitive benefits in seniors, more evidence forthcoming…

Read More:  http://blogs.law.stanford.edu/lawandbiosciences/2014/05/05/neuroracer-creator-gazzaley-seeks-fda-blessing-for-brain-training-game/

If there were scientific evidence that playing brain games worked to improve your intelligence and prevent cognitive decline, would you try them?  Please share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Learn new skills in order to maintain your brain’s vitality with age, study says

Crossword puzzles, reading and that familiar hobby of yours may not be enough to keep your brain sharp, according to studies in the journal “Psychological Science”.

A recent study performed by Denise Park at University of Texas at Dallas shows that learning new skills could the key to maintaining cognitive vitality with age.  Simply maintaining those old habits may not be enough.

“This is speculation, but what if challenging mental activity slows the rate at which the brain ages?” asks Park. “Every year that you save could be an added year of high quality life and independence.”

Read More:  http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/news/releases/learning-new-skills-keeps-an-aging-mind-sharp.html

Were you aware that you needed to learn new skills to keep your brain sharp?  Please share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Want to live to 100? Practice qigong, says Dr. Oz

Read More:  http://www.bgtent.com/CMAQigongSchool/QigongProgram.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do you think leads to qigong practitioners living longer lives?  Please share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Billionaire hedge fund manager on the benefits of meditation

Ray Dalio, billionaire founder and head of hedge fund Bridgewater Associates, has some interesting things to say about meditation:

Patriots QB Tom Brady using brain exercises to stay sharp

Top professional athletes at the cutting edge of their sports are using brain exercises to stay on top of their game.  Case in point is 37-year old New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who has recently brought cognitive exercises into his training regimen.

“I think finding that balance in your brain or in your body is how you optimize your performance. You figure out where deficiencies are. Where you’re out of range, and you exercise to bring yourself back to range so you can continue to do the things you want to do as long as you want. Just because you get older, I’ve said this before, you can sustain peak performance as long as you can …Your memory or whatever the things that you need to do to work on, you can sustain those things a lot longer than you realize. I think that’s something that I’ve learned and that I’m going to continue to do as long as I’m here.””

 – Tom Brady, 8.25.14 via profootballtalk.nbcsports.com.

Are YOU doing enough to train your brain?  Fill out this survey to find out, it only takes a moment:  http://goo.gl/forms/IMnKwaUBba

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Read More:  http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/08/25/tom-brady-turns-to-brain-exercises-to-stay-sharp-healthy/