From supplements to computer games,
there’s a mind-boggling wealth of
brain-training products and methods out
there – but where do we start? And can
they all legit reduce the risk of dementia?
Not according to Cambridge researchers,
who carried out a six-week online study
of 11,430 people and found that brain
puzzles and games did nothing to boost
overall smartness in the long term.
“The plasticity of the brain is amazing,
but many of the claims made about
mind-training aren’t based on solid
scientifi c research,” warns neuroscientist
Dr Lynda Shaw. “If we choose to do
crosswords, our brains will improve at
doing crosswords. If we choose a computer
game, our brains will improve at that
particular game. But to suggest they can
boost brain health in general is misleading.”
Separating the science from the
hype is something that fascinates science
journalist Caroline Williams. In her new
book, Override (Scribe Publications,
$32.99), she charts her year-long quest to
improve her mind by challenging some of
the world’s top neuroscientists to help her
do it. Having identifi ed her key “problem
areas” – including a short attention span,
poor navigational skills and being “bad
with numbers” – Williams set out to see
what could be changed, and what couldn’t.
If you suspect the most e ective
methods are likely to involve high-tech
brain stimulation or pricey brain-training
computer programs, think again. In fact,
you’re no doubt already doing a lot of
the right stu without realising it. As
Williams discovered, changing your brain
is surprisingly simple. “It’s actually very
easy,” she insists. “And that’s because it’s
largely the same as what we need to do
to improve the health of the rest of the
body.” Here’s what worked for Williams...Keep moving
See? We did say you were
probs doing some of the rightthings already. “Despite all the brain-
training hype, physical exercise has proven
to be the best thing anyone can do for their
brain,” says Williams. “It not only improves
blood fl ow, which brings all the fuel and
oxygen [the brain] needs, but it also
stimulates the release of various factors
that stimulate the growth of new neurons,
and lowers the threshold at which the brain
makes new connections. This suggests that
regular exercise makes it more likely that
whatever you learn will stick.”
It doesn’t really matter what type of
exercise you do – although the rewards
may be bigger if you pick up the pace
a bit, according to a recent study at the
University of Kansas. Researchers
analysed the e ect of regular exercise on
brain function in a group of older adults.
All saw an improvement in visual-spatial
processing, overall attention levels and the
ability to concentrate. But those who had
pushed themselves, rather than just
plodded along, saw the most benefi ts.