Tag Archives: Brain health

Seniors Should Maintain an Active Lifestyle

My colleague Dr. Jeffery Cummings gave a very informative interview to the Las Vegas Review-Journal last week (entitled Alzheimer’s studies urge active retirement). In the article, Dr. Cummings highlights the growing body of research that leading an active life, especially after retirement, appears to be one of the most important things one can do in [...]

7 Myths About the Human Brain

7.  Humans have bigger brains than all other animals: Although we are the smartest mammals, we don’t have the largest brains on this planet. Whales and elephants have bigger brains than humans, but their brains are obvious less developed comparatively.
What does make us unique is our ratio of brain weight to body weight, which [...]

Vitamin D and Cognitive Health

This week Dr. Katherine Tucker of the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging published a report in the Journals of Gerontology which makes the claim that elderly individuals may be able to help sustain their cognitive function by maintaining sufficient levels of vitamin D.
The study (Vitamin D Is Associated with Cognitive Function [...]

Memory Screening: The Latest Debate

Sandra, a fit 65-year-old woman, believes in the benefits of proactive health care. She exercises regularly and never misses an annual physical. So when she sees a flier for a free memory screening event at her local Kmart, she thinks it’s a great opportunity to check on her brain health too.
Sandra’s [...]

Cognitive Ability is More Important than Age

In neuroscience news this week, a newly published study by Scott Huettel, Ph.D. (Associate Professor of psychology and neuroscience and director of the Duke Center for Neuroeconomic Studies) attempts to help disprove the myth that simply aging makes us inferior at financial decision making compared to our younger counterparts. Dr. Huettel’s study was published earlier [...]

7 Ways to Improve Your Energy and Mental Focus

This Brain Fitness for Life blog  has delivered several articles on ways to keep your memory sharp. Many of you have also inquired about ways to keep your natural energy up throughout the day to help you concentrate better. There are some simple, scientifically proven, things you can do during the course of the day [...]

Mediterranean Diet Might Protect Against Alzheimer’s

It is well documented that a diet rich in antioxidants, leafy greens, nuts and fish benefits the body in a whole host of different ways. Fresh produce, fish – especially the kind rich in omega-3s like mackerel and salmon – and nuts provide lean protein, healthy fats and plenty of fiber, vitamins and minerals to [...]

The Journey Towards Alzheimer’s Prevention

On April 26-28, 2010, the National Institute for Health, hosted a conference entitled “State-of-the-Science Conference, Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease and Cognitive Decline“. It was open to both professionals and the public.
The goal of the independent panel of health professionals and public officials at the meeting was to assess whether previous research on purported risk or protective [...]

Meditation Could be Easier than You Think

Meditation has long been reported as a great way to clear the mind and reduce stress. In my post in February, 5 Strategies to Improve Memory, I pointed to a research study that found that the daily practice of meditation thickened the parts of the brain’s cerebral cortex responsible for decision making, attention and memory. [...]

Does Television Rot Your Brain?

I’m sure you have heard the old adage television will rot your brain. There might just be some truth to that. First, there is the obvious. Watching television is a sedentary and passive activity. Watching TV is a choice, and like most choices, there is an opportunity cost. When you watch television you forsake [...]