Mental exercises keep you sharp while aging
[9 September 2005 - myDNA News] As we age, maintaining mental acuity becomes a paramount concern as quality of life, rather than years of life, becomes the essence. Neuroscience researchers have discovered an active lifestyle plays an important role for keeping your brain sharp. While this revelation comes as no surprise, researchers now include the need for regular mental exercise in addition to daily physical activity and a healthy diet. In findings presented this week at the British Association's Festival of Science, Professor Ian Robertson, dean of research at the Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience remarked, "Neuroscience researchers have made important discoveries that will help keep our brains functioning optimally." ... In one study reported at the festival, 3000 individuals, aged 65 to 94, were trained in memory strategies, mind-stimulating computer games, or problem-solving instruction and then compared to a control group who did not receive the training. On average, each subject in the study improved the equivalent of 7 to 14 years worth of mental aging. ...

Related story from the BA: Window on the mind
Related story from the BBC: Keeping ageing brains on top form