Mind Games
Myths and reality
It is assumed that a slight decrease in cognitive functions in old age may be a physiological process associated with aging of the brain. Traumatic brain injuries and episodes of depression in the anamnesis, deficiency of B vitamins and folic acid, low intellectual and physical activity in the young and middle years of life are also considered risk factors for cognitive impairment in old age.
How to fightAccording to the World Health Organization, about 35.6 million people worldwide suffer from dementia alone.
This number is expected to double to 65.7 million by 2030, and more than triple to 115.4 million by 2050.
The urgency of the problem has given rise to many studies of methods of treatment and prevention of cognitive impairment, while the prevention of memory loss, attention and cognitive abilities plays a special role.
The main methods of preventing cognitive impairment include intellectual and social activity, as well as rational physical exercises. In addition, various studies have shown that nutrition containing trace elements and antioxidants necessary for the full functioning of the brain, and systematic training of memory and attention also contribute to the preservation of normal cognitive activity. However, these measures cannot completely cancel the development of cognitive impairment, rather, they are designed to alleviate the symptoms or postpone the clinical manifestation of the disease.
Use your mind to the maximumEpidemiological studies do indeed indicate that people with intense intellectual work are less susceptible to the development of cognitive impairment and dementia.
This is due to more developed cognitive skills that allow you to successfully overcome the difficulties that appear at the beginning of a dementia-related brain disease. Thus, a high intellectual level provides some temporary delay in the onset of the disease.
To point out the need for an objective attitude to the action of games that develop memory and attention in adults, 69 cognitive psychologists and neurologists from the Stanford Center for Longevity, together with colleagues from the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, wrote a statement expressing their skeptical view of the effectiveness of such programs (A Consensus on the Brain Training Industry from the Scientific Community).
As noted in the statement, companies producing educational games unreasonably promise to solve the problem of cognitive impairment by using their products, which are unlikely to have a great impact on human cognitive abilities.
"It is typical for advertising to emphasize the advantages and exaggerate the potential advantages of its products," said Professor Laura Carstensen. "However, the companies producing the so–called brain development games claim that their action is confirmed by serious scientific data."
In this regard, the scientists decided to make a statement sent directly to the population. "We object to the claim that games that develop memory and attention in adults are able to reduce or reverse the decline in cognitive functions, since there is no scientifically substantiated evidence for this," the authors of the public letter noted.
And although the human brain adapts to the tasks assigned to it throughout life, there are too few weighty arguments in favor of the fact that the acquisition of skills in playing computer educational programs can significantly affect various thinking abilities and cognitive skills.
Council of Neurologists"In the course of observing the lives of many people, researchers have found that people who lead physically, socially and intellectually active lives are less likely to suffer from early cognitive decline and debilitating diseases," the Stanford Center for Longevity noted in a press release.
This became the recommendation of psychologists and neurologists on how to maintain full cognitive abilities in old age.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru24.10.2014