There are a number of software programs that have developed for exercising the brain. Which of these programs are effective in slowing decline is a matter of controversy. Some new evidence suggests that those who did activities that used their brains have less memory decline.

Brain exercise, or as it is often called brain training, is a growth industry. The trend really took off with the program Brain Age for the Nintendo. Most of the programs have a number of different puzzles, memory training and other tasks that are suggested to exercise various aspects of the brain.

Many researchers have suggested that, for some of these programs, make people very good at the training tasks, but this does not translate to other tasks or brain function in general.

A study looked at people between the ages of 70 and 89. About half the study participants had mild cognitive impairment and the other half had no measureable impairment. Participants were surveyed on their daily activities in the last year, and also between ages 50 and 65.

For the most recent period of time, those who engaged in activities such as reading books, playing games, computer use and craft activities has 30 to 50% less memory decline than those who did not engage in these activities. However, this could just indicate that those that now had memory problems found it hard to do these activities.

However, when activities from middle age were considered those who had engaged in more activities such as social activities and reading were 40% less likely to have memory loss. These data suggest that active habits have a long term impact on memory.

This research suggests keeping your mind active and keeping interested is a good way to reduce or slow memory loss.

Interestingly , those, in the previous year, who had watched seven or more hours of TV per day were 50% more likely to have memory loss. Perhaps we should all watch less of the idiot box.

photo credit: {Guerrilla Futures | Jason Tester}

[tags]brain activity, memory loss[/tags]