Brain Fitness for Better Memory and less Dementia

Exercising your brain can improve memory and cut the risk of developing dementia.

By Christopher J. Gearon

If you think electronic games are just for your grandchildren, you've somehow missed the marketing blitz aimed at older adults. Computer- and video-game makers are targeting seniors and baby-boomers with products that claim to boost the power of an aging brain. But can games such as Nintendo's Brain Age or Web sites such as MyBrainTrainer.com really stave off dementia?

Unfortunately, it's not that simple. Scientists have found that certain exercises conducted in a laboratory, such as matching and counting games, could improve memory. But it's unclear whether a regimen of such exercises could help aging adults remember to take medication, follow directions and engage in other activities of daily living that enable seniors to remain independent.

But researchers say you can take measures to increase cognitive function and delay dementia, even Alzheimer's disease. "My advice: Travel, go to the theater, go to museums, take a dance class," says Denise Park, director of University of Illinois' Roybal Center for Healthy Minds, which studies cognitive function and aging.

The Aging Brain
Weighing in at three pounds, the adult brain begins shrinking even before middle age. The clues are common: You can't find your keys, or you forget where you parked. You can easily adapt to such minor changes, by perhaps putting keys in the same place every day, for example. By the mid sixties, such cognition lapses become more noticeable. After age 65, the risk of Alzheimer's disease doubles every five years.

Over the past 30 years, however, scientists have found that engaging in a range of basic activities can improve a person's memory and mental health. "Everyday life gives us an opportunity," says George Rebok, a professor at Johns Hopkins University's Bloomberg School of Public Health. "Continue to be as active as you can. Search out new ways to stimulate yourself mentally, socially and physically."

The key to any brain-training regimen is physical exercise. Research shows that blood flow stimulated by exercise improves short-term memory and concentration. One study showed that six months of brisk walking by healthy adults between the ages of 58 and 78 led to big benefits. The walkers were able to pay closer attention while disregarding distracting information.

Staying socially connected is also linked to reduced cognitive decline. Volunteering may be especially helpful. Case in point: A Hopkins study of Experience Corps, a program that places older volunteers into urban schools to mentor students, found benefits for the seniors. Researchers studied 128 volunteers ranging in age from 60 to 86, who worked at least 15 hours a week. Cognitive stimulation, as well as physical strength and social interactions, increased. "We think volunteer experiences will make a big impact in terms of cognitive ability," says Rebok.

Frequent intellectual stimulation could also re-duce dementia. A National Institute on Aging study found that adults who regularly listened to the radio, read newspapers, played puzzle games and visited museums over a four-year period cut the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by 47%.