Another study showing the impact of learning on our brains.

“These remarkable findings suggest stimulating the mind with activities such as reading books or completing crossword puzzles may help delay and/or prevent Alzheimer’s disease in senior citizens.”

The full piece can be read here

Here is another study on the benefits of studying another language.

“If you have two languages in your brain, you need a way to keep them straight, otherwise you might say the wrong thing,” she said. It’s one of the things that often goes wrong with people suffering from dementia. They can no longer control their speech.The frontal lobes, which control planning and other high-level functions, are also used in language. Research has found exercising that part of the brain can help build up a “cognitive reserve,” which can stave off dementia.”

To read more from this specific article, click here

A good article over at US News and World Report on how cognitive decline is impacting people under 65.

“Several hundred thousand people–perhaps as many as 640,000–under the age of 65 who have dementia, the vicious thief of minds that steals memories, personality, relationships, language, and ultimately the ability to function as a human being”.

You can read the full article here

Science Daily reports on a new study:

“The brain is like a muscle that should be exercised through the retirement years as a defense against dementia, cognitive lapses and memory failure.”

Read more here

A very interesting post from the Eide Neurolearning blog.

“This study shows that revising is more effective if you mix new facts in with the old. You actually learn better, even though your brain is also tied up with new information.”

Read in full here

Here is a recent press release on AARP’s website.

The AARP Foundation, has received a $200,000 grant from the MetLife Foundation to expand the Staying Sharp initiative. The Staying Sharp series is for Brain Initiatives that promotes cognitive fitness (“brain health”) as people enter their later years. This new grant provides funding for Staying Sharp forums and activities to be held in 2007.

For more information, read at AARP