Posts Tagged → cognitive decline
New findings help explain age-related cognitive decline
Degradation in certain areas of the brain may help explain why people tend to have a harder time processing new information as they age, and this knowledge suggests possible ways to prevent the problem, according to a new study from researchers at Johns Hopkins University.
The team used brain imaging scans of older individuals while they were completing tasks that tested their memory. The results showed that seniors tend to have atrophy in neural pathways that lead to the hippocampus, the area of the brain that holds memories.
This is why a person is more likely to recall older information rather than form and process new memories when they are older. However, the researchers said that it may be possible to ward off these effects. They said that their findings will make it easier to study the effects of various treatments that support brain health well into old age.
Author and philosopher Ilchi Lee says that brain health can be preserved through techniques such as meditation and other forms of mental training. These methods may help maintain neural pathways and stave off the effects of cognitive decline.
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Social activity can preserve mental function in seniors
There are many ways that Ilchi Lee says a person can preserve their brain health as they age. Meditation and mind training programs can all help seniors stay mentally sharp. Now, a new study has shown that simply being more socially active may also serve to protect the brain from decline.
Researchers from Rush University reported in the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society that older individuals who engage in more social activities tend to have healthier brain function than more socially isolated seniors.
The researchers speculated that social activities force individuals to use diverse areas of their brains, which may serve to preserve neural networks and contribute to a sharp, focused mind. The study showed that social activities as simple as going to church or eating at a restaurant can be enough to preserve mental function.
When these activities are added to meditative programs or other initiatives specifically designed to improve mental function, seniors may be able to remain lucid and avoid cognitive decline for many years to come. Lee says that mental health is one of the most important areas of overall health.
