Pulitzer Prize-Winning author, Ronald Kotulak, summarized recent scientific discoveries about the brain at the 45th Annual Meeting of the American Society on Aging (ASA) last March in Orlando, Fla. His discoveries were detailed by April Thompson on the ASA website.
According to Kotulak, scientists now realize that the brain actually organizes and constructs itself, something no other organ does. Rather than being hard-wired for growth, the brain wires and even rewires itself–for example, to enable it to continue operating in the wake of a stroke or spinal injury. “At the core of this new knowledge is the plasticity factor, a term used to describe the brain’s amazing capacity to constantly change its structure and function in response to experiences coming from the outside,” said Kotulak
To read more about what Pulitzer Prize-Winning author, Ronald Kotulak had to say, click here.
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Let’s face it, we’re all growing older every day. If you’re over 30, Scientists say the number of brain cells you have are starting to decline. But, they also say that based on a physical behavior called neuroplasticity, our brain can grow new brain cells throughout our lives, regardless of age. The key, they say, is to continually be challenging our brains. It’s this challenge that causes the growth. Therefore, it is possible to reverse the mental decline normally brought on as we age.
Now, lets take the neuroplasticity concept one step further..
If we were to be regularly challenging our brain, our brain would respond in turn by growing new brain cells and new brain connections. By continuing this habit over time, we not only could reverse the brain-age decline normally associated with growing old, but we could actually be building what’s called a “cognitive reserve”.
This so called cognitive reserve, or brain-buffer, can help protect us against Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. In fact, studies such as the Nun Study have shown that even if we do contract the markers of Alzheimer’s, our cognitive reserve can help us compensate.
Nun Study Video:
So how do we go about building our brain-buffer? Well, Alvaro Fernandez tells us how via the four pillars of brain health. To learn more about these four pillars, click here.
How big is your brain-buffer? Why not increase it’s size by playing some free online brain games? Check out our list of free online brain games by clicking here.
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alzheimer, alzheimers, brain, brain buffer, brain fitness, Brain Games, congnitive reserve, fitness, free brain games, health, neuroplasticity, online brain games
Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia. Today, 4.5 million adults over the age of 65 have the disease and by the year 2050 it is estimated that number will grow 4X to more that 18 million. Currently there is no known cure for the disease but there are some things you can do to help slow it’s onset. With this many people who either already have the disease or will develop it later in life, it’s important that we become more aware of it and what we can do about it.
HealthiNation put together 4 videos which cover the following topics related to Alzheimer’s disease:
- What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
- Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s
- Slowing the Onset of Alzheimer’s
- Treating and Caring for Alzheimer’s
These videos can be accessed online by clicking here.
Online brain games play an important role in keeping our brains fit. Such games can be accessed by clicking here.
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alzheimers, brain, brain fitness, brain health, fitness, online brain games
