My four-year old son picks up new words and puts them to use as if they were so many pieces of Lego. Over the course of a dozen or so years, children build up a vocabulary of tens of thousands of words. A child's ability to absorb and master new information is a constant marvel. By contrast, adults would appear to be relative dullards. But the explanation for the difference between the growing brain and the adult brain yields the secret to the lifelong ability to maintain and improve brain function.
The growing brain produces large quantities of a nerve-growth protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor or BDNF. This protein activates the nucleus basalis, the brain's center of attention and memory formation. Copious BDNF production ensures that children pay attention to everything (except their parents!) constantly absorbing new information and forming new memories and brain structures.
Toward the end of the critical learning period, an adolescent's brain releases even greater quantities of BDNF, shutting down this ability to effortlessly absorb and retain new information. By adulthood it is important for the brain to begin to consolidate the information it has absorbed in the formative years. Closing off the critical period prevents our brains from becoming saturated with too much information, and facilitates decision-making and long-term focus.
Until recently, scientists believed the adult brain incapable of growth or change. Prevailing wisdom resigned us to a long, slow mental decline. But recent advancements in brain science have proven that this is far from true. Activities that demand attention reactivate the brain's attention center. And when we carry out mental tasks that produce a sense of accomplishment, we create conditions under which the brain can grow and change.
Intense focus at a challenging task results in neurogenesis (new nerve cell growth) and neuroplasticity (rewiring of brain structure). If we activate these processes while training core brain functions (e.g., processing speed, memory, and problem-solving ability) we can strengthen and improve our mental ability.
The Three Building Blocks of Effective Brain Training
1. Focus
With mental focus and attention the nucleus basalis produces acetylcholine. Acetylcholine stimulates the brain's long term memory and retention.
2. Mental Challenge
Mental challenge and reward stimulate the production of another brain chemical - dopamine - which in turn is critical for plastic change.
3. Exercise of Core Brain Functions
Together these two brain chemicals stimulate the growth of new nerve cells, and produce conditions under which the brain can grow and change. If this mental condition is accompanied by an exercise that strengthens and improves core functions, we end up with lasting improvements in our mental ability.
Brain Training In Practice
There are many activities that stimulate neural growth and help us stay mentally fit - studying a new language, tackling puzzles and brain teasers, learning a new skill - but while these are relevant and worthy pursuits, they're not as targeted and effective as a carefully designed and scientifically tested brain training exercise.
The right brain training software can strengthen core brain functions in a highly efficient, measurable and predictable way. This brings a slew of possibilities: Brain training is being used today for correcting learning dysfunctions, reversing the adverse effects of aging, helping to delay or prevent the onset of Alzheimer's symptoms or dementia, improving academic success, and for plain old self-improvement. Some training programs can even produce measurable increases in fluid intelligence or problem-solving ability - until recently believed to be impossible.
Still an emerging market, the brain training industry inevitably churns out some programs that are at best only moderately effective, and at worst pretty near useless. On the other hand, the better programs are founded on excellent science and produce reliable results.
Since committing to a program requires time and money it pays to check the scientific credentials of the training. What specifically is it designed to achieve? Has its efficacy been independently tested or proven? Does the vendor specify the degree of improvement you should expect? And does training follow a prescribed timeline with set duration and milestones?
Lastly, it's important to remain aware that even the best brain training program requires our focus and diligence - those essential elements of brain plasticity. As with physical exercise, we can't improve if we don't exert ourselves. But the rewards if we do so will be well worth it.
The growing brain produces large quantities of a nerve-growth protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor or BDNF. This protein activates the nucleus basalis, the brain's center of attention and memory formation. Copious BDNF production ensures that children pay attention to everything (except their parents!) constantly absorbing new information and forming new memories and brain structures.
Toward the end of the critical learning period, an adolescent's brain releases even greater quantities of BDNF, shutting down this ability to effortlessly absorb and retain new information. By adulthood it is important for the brain to begin to consolidate the information it has absorbed in the formative years. Closing off the critical period prevents our brains from becoming saturated with too much information, and facilitates decision-making and long-term focus.
Until recently, scientists believed the adult brain incapable of growth or change. Prevailing wisdom resigned us to a long, slow mental decline. But recent advancements in brain science have proven that this is far from true. Activities that demand attention reactivate the brain's attention center. And when we carry out mental tasks that produce a sense of accomplishment, we create conditions under which the brain can grow and change.
Intense focus at a challenging task results in neurogenesis (new nerve cell growth) and neuroplasticity (rewiring of brain structure). If we activate these processes while training core brain functions (e.g., processing speed, memory, and problem-solving ability) we can strengthen and improve our mental ability.
The Three Building Blocks of Effective Brain Training
1. Focus
With mental focus and attention the nucleus basalis produces acetylcholine. Acetylcholine stimulates the brain's long term memory and retention.
2. Mental Challenge
Mental challenge and reward stimulate the production of another brain chemical - dopamine - which in turn is critical for plastic change.
3. Exercise of Core Brain Functions
Together these two brain chemicals stimulate the growth of new nerve cells, and produce conditions under which the brain can grow and change. If this mental condition is accompanied by an exercise that strengthens and improves core functions, we end up with lasting improvements in our mental ability.
Brain Training In Practice
There are many activities that stimulate neural growth and help us stay mentally fit - studying a new language, tackling puzzles and brain teasers, learning a new skill - but while these are relevant and worthy pursuits, they're not as targeted and effective as a carefully designed and scientifically tested brain training exercise.
The right brain training software can strengthen core brain functions in a highly efficient, measurable and predictable way. This brings a slew of possibilities: Brain training is being used today for correcting learning dysfunctions, reversing the adverse effects of aging, helping to delay or prevent the onset of Alzheimer's symptoms or dementia, improving academic success, and for plain old self-improvement. Some training programs can even produce measurable increases in fluid intelligence or problem-solving ability - until recently believed to be impossible.
Still an emerging market, the brain training industry inevitably churns out some programs that are at best only moderately effective, and at worst pretty near useless. On the other hand, the better programs are founded on excellent science and produce reliable results.
Since committing to a program requires time and money it pays to check the scientific credentials of the training. What specifically is it designed to achieve? Has its efficacy been independently tested or proven? Does the vendor specify the degree of improvement you should expect? And does training follow a prescribed timeline with set duration and milestones?
Lastly, it's important to remain aware that even the best brain training program requires our focus and diligence - those essential elements of brain plasticity. As with physical exercise, we can't improve if we don't exert ourselves. But the rewards if we do so will be well worth it.
About the Author:
Oxford-trained scientist, author, and technologist, Martin G. Walker is a member of The British Neuroscience Association, Learning and The Brain, and MENSA. His company Mind Evolve Software publishes free information on the field of neuroscience and brain training as well as effective and affordable brain training software under the brand name Mind Sparke.
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