One of the handouts given to me at the Brain Education for Successful Aging preview that I attended had three myths about the brain and aging to which society in general subscribes. I haven’t done any research into it myself, but they sounded interesting and a lot of members around here who saw it liked it, so I thought I would share with the general public.
Myth 1: The brain cannot form new connections. According to this hand-out, in the mid-1990′s researchers began to see evidence that the brain can produce new nerve cells in some areas related to memory, debunking previous research that indicated mature nerve cells could not reproduce. Another good FYI is that Scott Small from Columbia University and Fred Gage from the Salk Institute have evidence that suggests that regular exercise delivers more oxygen-rich blood to the brain as well as a chemical called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This factor and others seem to enhance memory, learning, and other functions.
Myth 2: Brain cells die faster as we get older. In fact, brain cells die and get replenished at the same rate throughout our whole lives, unless we have a brain disease (or drink alcohol excessively).
Myth 3: Decline is inevitable. Gene Cohen, MD, PhD, founding director of the Center on Aging, Health, & Humanities at George Washington University Medical Center, wrote in Newsweek that in his work designing games to improve the mental function of elders, he found that both of the brain’s hemispheres actually become better integrated as we age, leading to greater creative potential. He also says that with the proper lifestyle and challenges, the brain can become stronger with age.
So sounds like we all have the hope of staying mentally active for the rest of our lives if we have a healthy lifestyle. Does anyone else know anything about healthy aging?
