Brain Exercise Prevent Lost Memories

NOT only the body that needs exercise to stay fit. But, the brain is the same. In order to keep sharp memory, the brain must continue to be trained throughout life. Based on the results of recent studies, conducting activities that involve the brain such as reading or even knitting can prevent memory loss.

The study found, reading magazines, sewing bed cover, as well as social activity in midlife may lower risk of memory loss at age 70 or 80's to more than 1/3-nya. "And, even though you've reached age 70 or 80, never too late to train the brain, "says researcher Yonas Geda, MD, a neuropsychiatrist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., told WebMD site.

In the elderly, light Geda, activities such as playing games, making crafts, will reduce the possibility of memory loss by 1/3. Activities involving computers, advanced Geda, even more protective of people in her 70s or 80s, the activity of this lowers the risk of memory loss by 1/2.

However, a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology presents, watching TV more than 7 hours a day, will increase the likelihood of loss of memory.

Challenging the brain

"Activities that challenge the brain will provide new electrical nerve in the brain," explained Greg Jicha, MD, a neurologist from the University of Kentucky in Lexington. Laboratory experiments, the light Jicha, shows that brain cells are placed together in a petri dish to form a bond and survive. But, if left only one cell, the cell will die.

Activities such as reading, playing games, and other activities can stimulate brain cells related to each other and grow well. According Jicha, new activities will also be very profitable. "Do not just do things that are wont to do."

In the study researchers recruited 197 people who experience mild cognitive impairment or undiagnosed memory loss and the 1124 people who had not had the problem of memory disorders. Participants in these two groups have the same age range between 70 and 89 years.

All participants were questioned about their daily activities in the previous year and in middle age, when they were aged between 50-65 years.

Limitations of this study, light Jicha, is the reliance on patient memory. According to him, further studies should involve family members and friends of participants. This is to recheck the memories of participants.