The New BRAIN Games

continued from page 1

Dr. Dawson cites what is known to help us age well: drawing on our strengths, greater education in the early years, physical exercise, social engagement, and active intellectual engagement can all help. “These can provide us with benefits that prevent brain cell deterioration as we age,” she says.

Dr. Stuss points out that exercising the brain, while helpful, is not the same as preventing disease. “You cannot prevent disease through practise,” he says.

However, surprising research has shown that lifelong habits of mental activity – whether attained through higher education or active bilingualism – may build a reserve capacity people can tap into automatically, offsetting the ravages of disease and masking the damage for some time.

Dr. Stuss says the biggest boost to memory comes from real-world behaviour change. “Make a conscious effort by paying attention,” he says, “and make the information as meaningful as possible when you lay it down.” Dr. Morris Moscovitch, another Baycrest psychologist, senior Rotman scientist, and Dr. Max and Gianna Glassman Chair in Neuropsychology, adds, “To reduce planning and make the most of your memory, build in routines where you don’t have them.”

Given an aging population, the number of games – as well as research studies – will continue to grow. Dr. Stuss sums it up: “Some people do get a benefit from so-called brain games. They find them fun to do. There’s no harm in this. Indeed, they may even benefit from them to some degree. But the bottom line is: if you want to spend money and keep your brain active, that’s fine – just don’t forget to physically exercise, too”