Scientists have just made a massive discovery that could have major implications for fighting dementia in old age.
Scientists have just made what could be the most important discovery about brains in a very long time, as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine said in a report released this past week that exercise, controlling blood pressure, and some brain training may be the magic formula to preventing mental decline, Alzheimer’s or dementia in old age.
While there are no proven ways to keep this mental deterioration from happening, this new report is an exciting indication that we may have more power to stop cognitive decline than we think. However, the government will need to do more research before such strategies are pushed as a viable method for ordinary citizens.
At the very least, these three strategies appear to do no harm, and at least two are really good for you even if they ultimately don’t work for preventing dementia. The report is based on a belief that changes in the brain begin long before symptoms of Alzheimer’s and other diseases, and it’s possible to catch the disease early on.
“There is good cause for hope that in the next several years much more will be known about how to prevent cognitive decline and dementia, as more clinical trial results become available and more evidence emerges,” said Alan I. Leshner, chair of the committee and CEO emeritus, American Association for the Advancement of Science. “Even though clinical trials have not conclusively supported the three interventions discussed in our report, the evidence is strong enough to suggest the public should at least have access to these results to help inform their decisions about how they can invest their time and resources to maintain brain health with aging.”
Hey, exercise, controlling blood pressure, and some brain training is not new and there is no reason to think that this would stun scientists. Surely these help but they don’t cure.
I am age 90 with no memory impairment. While in the military I was assigned to the group that intercepts and deciphers foreign codes. Part of my traianing was to say the alphabet backwards while
typing the numbers forward – thus dividing the 4 functions of the brain – observation-comprehension – retention – recall and making them work simultaneously. I have taken 2 350MG aspirin each night for 50 years – remained active physically – controlled my blood pressure – work a sudoku pozzle daily. My DNA
is similar to my Mothers – she maintained her cognitive faculties until the day she died at 85. I can still say the alphabet backwards starting at any point in the alphabet – lastly FATE HAS BEEN KIND TO ME.
I am a retired speech/language pathologist, with a masters degree therein, and also extended studies in fundamental psychology and neurology.
I have noted a very positive effect, (when using a motor cycle/bike), on subsequent increase in neurological function and accurate speed of all general neurological activity for several days immediately afterwards. Using my motorcycles/bike for various small errands per week results in a definite increase in neurological speed and accuracy throughout the day, and gentle tapering reduction for the next day, which is rejuvenated back to the increased levels for many hours after another journey on the motorcycle.
My theory is that the very different psycho-neurological functions used (in contrast to just automobile operation) stimulates additional neurological resources such as balancing, quicker assessment of potential danger(s) ahead; which, when combined, results in broader and more accurate neurological responses to the tasks at hand for subsequent roadskill avoidance and responses.
” However, the government will need to do more research…”
The author appears to be another fool who believes that only Big Government” is the source that cures our ills.
The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine happens to be a privately run non-profit research tank.