The Aging Brain: Bad News/Good News

As a Boomer who loves to eat much and often, I have learned that if I don’t take to the treadmill most nights, I will suffer for it with reduced energy and mental lethargy for several days to come, to say nothing of the pounds I seem to acquire almost instantly.  The way in which my body has appeared to guide me on its own, I now discover is based on scientific fact.  In a radio piece entitled “The Aging Brain Is Less Quick, But More Shrewd” airing on March 1, 2010, National Public Radio (NPR) reporter Michelle Trudeau provided information about research on the aging brain.

Listen to the story from the link above to get all the facts but here are a few gems:

• Bad news:  Reaction time is slower in the aging brain – it may take longer to learn or retrieve new information
• Bad news:  Our ability to multi-task diminishes with age – we’re quick but we may be sloppy and make more errors!
• Good news:  Complex reasoning skills improve
• Good news:  Empathy (the ability to understand the emotional viewpoint and feelings of others) increases as we age
• Good news:  The brain is always changing and is capable of brain cell growth in middle age and beyond

My favorite part of the story was Ms. Trudeau’s revelation that memory can improve with treadmill workouts.  Citing research conducted by neuroscientist Art Kramer (University of Illinois), Kramer found that ”three days a week, working up to an hour a day, people improved in various aspects of both short-term and long-term memory.”  Following treadmill workouts, individuals were given brain scans and those who had trained on the treadmill had larger hippocampi, the key brain area for memory, as well as growth in other brain areas controlling decision making and planning.

While my rationale for walking exactly one hour has not been based on scientific knowledge or method (I watch DVDs when I walk and I can view at least one full TV episode of a favorite series each night), I was delighted to discover all the positive benefits of my treadmill regimen…and I can feel my hippocampus growing as I write!

NPR has recently featured other stories on brain research including an article broadcast February 22, 2010 that reported how scientists are working to understand what hormonal and physiological cues in the body lead the brain to respond to food emotionally.

I have no doubt my Boomer brain is best served by regular physical and mental exercise and I regularly turn to the Library to obtain the resources that help accomplish both. Good news: If you don’t have a library card, it takes only a few minutes to apply, and once a “member” of the library, you’ll have access to a wealth of resources to keep your aging brain young!