Reversing the ageing of the Brain
 

Michael Merzenich says that current research in neuroscience shows that you can reverse the cognitive decline that we thought comes inevitably with aging. The reversal of cognitive decline, however, requires a lifestyle that is obsessed with learning new things and re-learning and fine-tuning your current skills.

Here's his 26 minute lecture on the topic:
FORA.tv - Michael Merzenich: Rewiring the Brain

Who is Michael Merzenich?

Well, I went to high school with him. 100% "nerd"...but it's nice to know the old high school contained a brilliant mind at one time. Born right here in Lebanon, Oregon, back in 1942,

Michael Merzenich - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(edit) Of course most here would be more interested in knowing that Jo Collins, 1965 Playmate of the year is also from Lebanon, Oregon...;)

http://jocollins.com/

like anything else, you don't use it you lose it.

I know MANY people that are 95+ and would whip your ass at any card game you could name.

"Reversing is the ageing of the brain"

-I've been talking about this to the conservatives in the "Politics and Religion" section for several years now....

N!

Trying to gain skill in pool can be quite a bit of brain exercise...just learning to control the cue ball can give one quite a mental workout. I'm sure the same can be said of golf...

This is a key reason why I'm trying to pick up the guitar now. I figure if you don't keep trying to learn new things, then you start getting old - on a number of levels.

Time will tell, eh?

Part of the reason why I enjoy crossword puzzles.

Your mistake is assuming that the brain is somehow involved in PARF discussions, Normy. :p

I'll watch the video later, if I remember to.

There is a silly cartoon that comes in the Sunday paper for kids asking to identify 6 differences between 2 pics. I do this and time myself each week. Sometimes it's tough for an old man. ;)

I found a very effective method for reversing the aging of the brain, but I can't remember it right now.

I finally beat my 94-year-old grandmother at Scrabble this past summer. For the first time. And it was only because I lucked out--a seven-letter word AND I hit two triple word scores. Every other game I've ever played with her she completely obliterated me.

The sad part is at that age your body is really starting to break down. I wonder if it wouldn't be more pleasant to be less aware of what's going on around you once you hit a certain threshhold.

I've picked up bass-playing again, after putting it down for 30 years. I hafta say.....re-learning the patterns and scales and patterns-over-patterns and what sounds good in what songs and how to wander off the root notes but remembering to return to them at the right moment and etc., etc. has been very brain-taxing. I have always been a fan of music programs NOT getting their budgets cut and now I can see first hand the excruciating mental calisthenics that music demands of musicians. Play music. It will make your brain hurt.

I think the point of Mike's lecture was to pick anything you have an interest in, then work really hard to learn all you can...

Yeah, a great philosophy as long as you don't have ADD...

Oh, look! A squirrel!

Ridalin (sp?) for you, young man...