The latest scientific studies demonstrate that age-related brain decline isn't inevitable and can even be reversed – it's even possible to delay conditions such as Alzheimer's. One key study is the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE) research project, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Nearly 2,900 senior citizens in various U.S. cities participated in a training program for memory, reasoning, and information-processing speed. After 10 hours of training over six weeks, they showed an improvement in cognitive performance that persisted as long as five years afterward.
The data suggest that in addition to maintaining high levels of brain activity among seniors, brain training can slow Alzheimer's, the devastating disease that affects nearly 8 percent of people older than 65 years and more than 40% of those older than 85.
Although we used to believe that Alzheimer's was essentially in the genes, more recent research suggests that genetics are only 33 percent responsible for triggering the disease. By far the larger culprit is environment, including lack of physical exercise, poor lifestyle choices – and lack of mental stimulation.
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