Turns out you can teach an old dog new tricks, according to new research into how we might keep our brains healthy.
A three-year study of nearly 4,000 adults suggests that there is no ceiling for improving our brains, and cognitive decline is not an inevitable part of the ageing process.
Researchers from the Center for BrainHealth at The University of Texas at Dallas studied a range of adults, aged 19 to 94 years old. Their study revealed people were able to measurably improve their brain performance through continual and targeted practices, such as short daily videos and personal reflection.
Published in the journal Scientific Reports, the study used the BrainHealth Index, a metric measuring brain fitness across three key pillars – cognitive health (such as memory and ability to reason through complex situations), connectedness to people and purpose, and emotional balance.
The research found that, with brain-healthy practices, people across the board were able to reap the benefits, with younger adults experiencing gains similar to those in their senior years.
Participants who had the lowest baseline scores at the start of the study demonstrated the most significant rates of improvement – proving that it’s never too late to start improving your brain health.
Consistent use of daily micro-training was directly related to increases in brain health scores, with those who engaged with it the most achieving the highest scores.
“Humans have already expanded how long we live. Now, we are expanding how long the brain can continue to improve, disrupting the trajectory of decline that often begins in our early 30s,” says Prof Sandra Bond Chapman, chief director of the Center for BrainHealth.
The brain-healthy practices were delivered in 5-10 minute units, involving short videos, knowledge checks and personal activities, as well as monthly themed modules.
Participants were then asked to incorporate specific habits into their daily lives, such as tackling tasks one at a time rather than trying to multitask. They were also able to engage with specialist brain health coaches.
The research also highlighted the 'rebound effect', showing how individuals are able to use cognitive strategies to recover, maintain and increase brain health during challenging life events and stressors, such as job loss or grief. This further showcased that brain health isn’t fixed in place, but can be rewired with the help of proven tools.
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