Do you sometimes find it difficult to remember where you left your keys or parked your car? Perhaps it takes you longer to study for a driving test or recall the words to a favorite song than it did a few years ago. It's easy to assume that these types of incidents are just a natural part of the aging process. Although cognitive decline is associated with age, studies are beginning to show that training the brain with mental exercises can provide an increase in mental focus and memory at any age.
In a recent study, targeting regions of a rat's brain that process sound with certain stimuli caused a decrease in age-related mental impairment. Other studies have shown that certain types of cognitive training can actually “rewire” brain circuits. Starting with middle age, gradual changes in the brain begin to affect mental processing. Due to these recent studies, leading experts are now beginning to think that this process is no longer permanent and can perhaps be reversed. As higher numbers of people age with the baby boomer generation, these findings are encouraging. Scientists are now beginning to study the effectiveness of different strategies to train the brain and improve mental function.Read More