MISSION, KS--(Marketwire - Aug 15, 2011) - (Family Features) If you find yourself wondering where you left your glasses -- again -- or struggling to recall a name or a word you've used a million times, you're not alone. Many people over 40 get frustrated by the occasional "senior moment." But if you're worried that your lapses are destined to be a permanent part of old age, take heart. It's never too late to improve brain function.
The Aging Brain
Cognition includes the ability to learn new things, judgment, intuition, language and remembering. As people age, three basic trends begin to affect cognition, and over time they have a noticeable impact on memory, thinking and focus:
"At first, people don't notice problems because they automatically use context to fill in what they missed," said Michael Merzenich, co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Posit Science. "Although this helps in the immediate situation, it doesn't improve the quality of the memory. As the years pass, the gaps can become too big for context to fill in. When this occurs, it can be hard to catch and respond to the information even at the moment."
Brain Fitness
The good news is that physical brain change occurs every time something new is learned. This continuous physical, chemical and functional process is called brain plasticity. And it can be strengthened, even in an aging brain.
"We need to use and develop our brain's machinery through learning," said Merzenich. "This doesn't mean just academic learning. It means practicing targeted activities that engage the senses and our memories, and that involve the production of refined movements. By applying these types of activities, it's possible to maintain -- and possibly restore -- cognitive abilities."
Here are some simple exercises you can do to keep your brain fit.
In addition to exercises like these, you can take advantage of brain training software, such as the brain fitness programs offered by Posit Science. These scientifically tested programs target the brain's ability to absorb information from all the senses.
"Using a program in which you practice remembering a grocery list may help you get better at remembering grocery lists," said Merzenich. "But when you exercise the roots of memory, you'll likely find that not only can you remember grocery lists better, you can also remember conversations, tasks and even that word that is just on the tip of your tongue."
To get more tips and test your own brain fitness, visit www.positscience.com.
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