The Latest in Mental Health: Working Out at the 'Brain Gym'

[steven johnson]

The latest baby boomer fad for the 'worried well' are "Brain Gyms" to retard or reverse brain aging. "Neurobics circuits," relaxation exercises, cognitive training, brain nutrition and genetic workups are all part of the programs.

Unfortunately, recent research showed doing crossword puzzels didn't retart cognitive decline but physical exercise did. Damn, back to the sit-ups.

Outfits Promise to Keep Older Minds Sharp With Computers, Walnuts and Green Tea

Thousands of Americans are choosing to join a small, but growing, number of "brain gyms" springing up around the country. Similar brain-teaser programs are available on home computers, sometimes free of charge. The scientific jury is still out on the efficacy of such software.

The industry pins its claims for brain exercise on a relatively new scientific discovery: neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to rewire itself throughout life by creating neural connections in response to mental activity. In a study published in 2006 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, a clinical trial involving 2,832 older adults concluded that "cognitive training" -- such as identifying patterns in a series of letters or words -- helped improve memory and reasoning skills.

A more recent study, of 487 adults aged 65 and older, found that people who trained on brain-fitness software for 40 hours over eight weeks noted significant improvement with memory and attention skills. The study is scheduled to be published in the April edition of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.


The Latest in Mental Health: Working Out at the 'Brain Gym'

[MADem]

1. I dunno about that "recent research." All I know is that the geezers I know who do crosswords

are sharp as tacks, and it doesn't make a difference if they're thin exercisers or fat couch potatoes.

Of course, it could be down to simple genetics.