Never too late to improve brain function

By Charlotte Fantelli

 

We all want an active and sound mind in our old age, and countless research has been done to find the secrets to how we can achieve this. Mental Healthy has reported on how factors like nutrition and exercise may hold a part of the picture, but new research has found that it is what we do as we get older that really makes a difference, over that which we do when we are young.

 

The Cell Press journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences, reports a greater emphasis on what we do in old age, rather than what we do earlier in life, when it comes to maintaining a youthful brain.

 

Interestingly the research shows little correlation between education status and memory decline, finding that those with a PhD are just as likely to experience memory loss later in life as those with a much lower level of education. 

 

The research also reports that those with a mentally stimulating career may find a limited benefit later in life, however, these benefits soon decline after retirement if the brain is not keep active. 

 

It is clear from this study that keeping mentally, emotionally and physically stimulated in later years holds a key to greater cognitive abilities and preserving memory. 

 

"There is quite solid evidence that staying physically and mentally active is a way towards brain maintenance," says Lars Nyberg, Professor of Neuroscience at Umeå University in Sweden.

 

Keeping the mind stimulated, enjoying social activities and keeping active as we age is a vital component in keeping a youthful brain.

 

While we cannot rule out genetics, and the way we treat our body and mind throughout our life, this research provides us with another piece to the puzzle when it comes to keeping an active mind in our later life.