Is it a achievable goal to be mentally sharp during aging or is it a pipe dream?
If you nurture your habits throughout your life that are useful for brain function, it is quite possible.
As a researcher in the cognitive neuroscience and neurology of aging processes, my goal is to clarify the ways we can maintain good cognitive health, given the recent scientific advances.
The importance of cognitive storage
One of the most effective strategies that has identified research is the development and maintenance of good cognitive reserve.
Cognitive storage refers to the brain’s ability to resist aging or neurological diseases without leading to significant functioning. This concept is now important for preventing cognitive reduction approaches.
In their report Dear Prevention, intervention and careUpdating in 2024, Lancet emphasized the fact that by addressing 14 corrective risk factors, 45 % of dementia can be prevented or delayed.
These include physical inactivity, depression and social isolation.
But one of the first and foremost factors is having a low level of education.
Beyond education
Education has long been considered the main cognitive reserve index. This indicates prolonged exposure to intellectual stimulant activities that develop effective brain networks.
But this view is now considered incomplete. Cognitive reserve is not constant in childhood or adulthood: throughout life can be constructed, maintained and even strengthened through various experiences, including learning, rich social interaction and provincial recreational activities.
Specific examples of these activities include playing a musical instrument or complex board games such as chess or participating in voluntary activities that require planning and problem solving skills.
Cognitive reserve understanding
Scientific research provides several complementary models to understand cognitive storage mechanisms.
Some focus on the structure of the brain itself, indicating that properties such as the number of neurons affect the brain’s tolerance. It is a brain storage model, which is based on the idea that some people are born with more neurons and allow them to cope with better aging.
Others argue that active lifestyle can slow the effects of brain aging by boosting biological resistance – for example, the brain’s ability to stay healthy and functioning with age, indicates that despite age, it shows observable symptoms of deterioration. This is a brain maintenance model.
About the author
Benjamin Boller, Master Agrégé En Neuropsychologie, Université Du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR)
This article was first published by the conversation and is published under the Creative Commons. Read the original article.
The third set of models emphasizes the functional flexibility of the brain, allowing it to mobilize its resources differently or absorb alternative neural networks to compensate for age -related damages. This is known as cognitive storage model.
These different models are part of a common conceptual framework that distinguishes between brain storage, brain storage and cognitive storage.
Each model is based on a particular idea, but they are complementary and supported by experimental data.
The cognitive storage model has been widely studied, especially because of its link to modified factors such as the level of education and regular participation in cognitive stimulating activities.
Is a dynamic cognitive reserve
This explanation helps to coordinate research and effectively guide prevention strategies. Most importantly, it reminds us that cognitive reserve evolves due to experience and learning, and therefore can be strengthened throughout life.
The recent work supports this dynamic view. A team of Quebec researchers, whom I am a member, have shown that the structural learning of memory strategies, including the location method (each piece of information to a familiar place) or mental visualization (conversion of information to images to better maintain it), can cause major changes in brain activity.
A combination of increased and decrease in activation, including changes in the level of activity in different areas of the brain, was observed in different areas of the brain during learning and recalling information. This observation reflects the fact that the use of memory strategies allows more functional flexibility in the brain.
Early symptoms of dementia
Nhs
Different types of dementia can affect different people and all experience symptoms in their own way.
However, some of the common primary symptoms can include:
- The loss of memory
- Focus on focus
- Finding familiar day -to -day tasks, such as confusion about correct change when shopping
- In an attempt to follow the conversation or find the appropriate word
- Confused about time and place
- Mood change
The results also showed that in more educated people, specific areas are more purposeful when learning and reminder, showing that their brain uses more effective strategies.
Other research has also highlighted the role of education in the structure and function of the brain. The study I did with colleagues showed a relationship between years of school, the volume of gray matter, and the brain activation in the field of memory. Another study I participated in showed more flexibility of activation due to the complexity of work in educated people.
All of this study confirms that cognitive reserve can be developed with experience and is adjusted by cognitive education of any age.
Brain stimulation during recreation
In this regard, Engage’s study by Canadian Consortium on aging and neural production is aimed at examining the behavioral and neurophysiological effects of cognitive stimuli recreational activities in older adults.
This intervention is a combination of formal cognitive education (preservation strategies, attention) with recreational activities such as music learning, second language or video games.
It offers an environmental model-in other words, an approach that is close to the real life conditions, enjoyable and motivated and favorable for sustainable interaction.
By showing that these natural interventions have comparable effects to traditional cognitive education programs, often composed of repetitive exercises on computers or paper, forms to work on functions such as memory or concentration, Engage can change approaches to prevent cognitive reduction associated with age.
Learning another language
In my psychology from the neuroâge at the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières (UQTR), we are carrying out a complementary project.
In collaboration with the professors of Paul Jan, from the group of modern languages and translation and Simon Rigulot, we are investigating the impact of learning English as a second language on brain cognition and activity in older adults.
The project is meaningful, motivated, motivated, and accessible to document the cognitive and neurological benefits of learning, using the protocol that integrates classes, cognitive and electronsafallography.
The preliminary results are promising and support the idea that intellectual interaction, even if it starts later in life, can provide measurable benefits.
Maintaining good cognitive health at any age requires a combination of accessible, motivational and stimulating interventions.
Cognitive storage, far from being fixed, made throughout life. Progress in the study now offers specific tools for healthy aging, especially for cognitive health.
