Brain Training

Cognitive Training Studies

In a cognitive training study of 3000 older participants with a marked loss in cognitive function, participants were assigned to one of four groups: three of the groups received cognitive training, whilst the fourth group received no training. The participants in the experimental groups were given 10 training sessions to improve skills such as reasoning, memory and speed of processing. In a follow up, test two years later it was shown that participants in the experimental groups had significantly improve in terms of cognitive abilities, scoring better than they had done two years later.

In a study into the effects of cognitively stimulating activities, for example, 801 healthy catholic nuns & priests were followed over 3 years. At baseline, the participants rated the frequency of their participation that relied on cognitive skills, such as crossword puzzles, reading and card games. The frequency was rated on a 5-point scale and the results ranged from 1.57 to 4.71. After 3 years, 111 participants had developed AD.

It was found that those who regularly participated in cognitively stimulating activities had a slower rate of cognitive decline and a reduced risk of AD compared to those participating in neutral activities such as watching television. Moreover, for every one-point increase in cognitive activity score, the risk of AD decreased by 33%.

These results have led to the suggestion that the brain can be exercised: cognitive training can improve cognitive skills, or help to prevent their decline.

The Effects Of Brain Training

Cognitive stimulation enables brain cells to grow and connect with each other through the extension of dentrites. If one network of neurons dies, cognitive stimulation can result in dentritic branching and the creation of inter connections between other neurons to take their place. It is thought that regular cognitive stimulation can sharpen cognitive skills and can positively influence dentritic growth, which may build up a cognitive reserve of well-developed brain cells

In later life this cognitive reserve can help to counter the effects of cognitive impairment and can help to retard the process that leads to Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

The Exercise Of Varied Cognitive Skills

Keeping one or two cognitive abilities stimulated, however, is not always sufficient. Although the area of the brain responsible for mediating a particular skill can be exercised and, therefore, strengthened and maintained, it is important that other areas of the brain are not neglected. With ageing, and in MCI, many cognitive skills are less frequently relied upon, perhaps because cognitive performance reflects social environmental demands; as we age we may be called upon less often to perform complex tasks and learn new procedures. As a consequence the brain regions responsible for maintaining these functions can begin to deteriorate, which can have a negative impact on cognitive acuity.

It is important that a variety of cognitive abilities are exercised and maintained - this will be reflected in the range of products which are developed by MindWeavers.