Brain training won't stop mental decline

Y

Yongy

New Member
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UK
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-46507024


This report, if it is correct, is rather depressing. It suggests that mental stimulation in our old age isn't going to prevent us from getting dementia. I encourage my husband (71) to do complicated jigsaw puzzles, which he is still more than capable of doing, in spite of the serious brain damage he has sustained after a brain haemorrhage in 2006, which completely trashed the left side of his brain. He also does complicated graphs on his computer. He was a highly intelligent guy before this happened with four degrees and high up on the MENSA scale. Of course with me being the family thicko, highly intelligent conversation isn't as good as he would like it to be unless our three very bright daughters are in residence. However, I am concerned his memory is getting worse, I am terrified he might get dementia like his much older brother, who is completely away with the fairies. I couldn't cope with him if he got like that and I would put him in a care home.
 

Researchers, in their oh-so-high-and-mighty research, often come up with results that are in direct opposition to what other high and mighty researchers have found. I take them all with a grain of salt. and find those things that work, for me. Staying actively involved in intellectual and physical activities keep me feeling young, and I don't feel I need to take a back seat to anyone on this planet, when it comes to my IQ.
 
I have heard lately that tasks like crossword puzzles aren't as effective as learning something new. Learning something completely new builds new pathways.
I've been contemplating what I would like to learn. So many possibilities!
 
hearlady said:
I have heard lately that tasks like crossword puzzles aren't as effective as learning something new.
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Can’t argue with that

However

I use the NY Times crossword as a benchmark, to see if I’ve slipped any
(Monday’s too easy one doesn’t count)
 
Keesha said:
Oh hogwash. You can’t believe everything you read. Sometimes these researchers are flat out WRONG.
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And many times, if you dig into who funded a given study, you'll discover that the findings for that study are very much skewed towards favoring the funding foundation. The various coffee growers associations are a great case in point: Those studies that come out, about twice a year, that find that coffee helps with this condition or that condition, are, almost always, funded by Big Coffee. Same with those chocolate studies funded by Big Chocolate.
 
Exercise is the most likely thing that lessens our chances of dementia or Alzheimer's. There are studies that show that walking helps. Recently I saw a woman on PBS ... her name is Dr. Wendy Suzuki, and she's a neuroscientist who studies this.

Her book is Healthy Brain, Happy Life: A Personal Program to to Activate Your Brain and Do Everything Better.

Here's her TED talk: The brain-changing benefits of exercise

 
Ellejay said:
Exercise is the most likely thing that lessens our chances of dementia or Alzheimer's. There are studies that show that walking helps. Recently I saw a woman on PBS ... her name is Dr. Wendy Suzuki, and she's a neuroscientist who studies this.

Her book is Healthy Brain, Happy Life: A Personal Program to to Activate Your Brain and Do Everything Better.

Here's her TED talk: The brain-changing benefits of exercise
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Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
 
treeguy64 said:
And many times, if you dig into who funded a given study, you'll discover that the findings for that study are very much skewed towards favoring the funding foundation. The various coffee growers associations are a great case in point: Those studies that come out, about twice a year, that find that coffee helps with this condition or that condition, are, almost always, funded by Big Coffee. Same with those chocolate studies funded by Big Chocolate.
Click to expand...
Exactly. Just check out who funded the research and information you’re reading. Yep!
 
I've been doing Mon&Tues NYT puzzles for years,I time myself just for the heck of it.I finish them between 10-30min Once in awhile I can finish Weds
I always had trouble with math but I do daily online games just to keep the brain clicking
 
I think there is more about the human brain and its capabilities that is UNKNOWN than is actually known.
 
I remember reading that crossword puzzles seem to hold off dementia; jigsaw puzzles have no effect. Who knows? I enjoy doing both kinds, and do them just to relax. If they are helping
my poor, pathetic little brain cells, all the better.
 
Personally, I do enjoy doing things that challenge my brain. Will they stop me from mental decline? Who knows. But if the challenge helps me, and makes me feel better in the moment, then I feel it has helped me. Like Sunny said, they help me relax, and ward off the anxiety I often feel. So, that is a plus for me.
 
gennie said:
I think there is more about the human brain and its capabilities that is UNKNOWN than is actually known.
Click to expand...

I agree. Look how far mankind has evolved and all the things we’ve learned that we thought we knew but were wrong.
We don’t HAVE to know everything. It’s ok not to know.
 
A negative attitude is bad all around. You're defeated before you're defeated. I'm ashamed to admit this but I was in my fifties before I completed my first Boston Globe crossword puzzle with no help from google. Belief is a useful thing. Remaining optimistic can help people in all kinds of negative situations in life. I'd try to hold on to that.
 

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