Make your brain smarter
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Date Posted:
May-13-2010 08:01
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The brain-training industry claims that its methods can help people gain entry to MENSA, and increase obscure qualities (“fluid intelligence”) by impressive digits (“40 per cent”) in a small number of days (“20”). Who doesn’t want to be a bit cleverer? More seriously, the idea of avoiding Alzheimer’s is another tempting proposition.
How it works
Martin Walker, founder of Mindsparke.com, explains: “The training changes the trainee’s brain structure by tapping in to processes called neurogenesis [the creation of new brain cells] and neuroplasticity [changes to the brain’s wiring]. We encourage the brain to incorporate these new cells into the structures that manage working memory.”
According to Martin, a brain-training exercise must have three qualities to be beneficial: it has to demand focus and attention; be rewarding or satisfying; and be repeated for a decent length of time each day over an extended period. Much like an Ashes test series, then.
But, does it work?
“There are animal studies to suggest that cognitive training stimulates the production of neurotrophins – growth factors in the brain,” says Associate Professor Sharon Naismith, senior clinical neuropsychologist at the Brain and Mind Research Institute.
"That’s what neurogenesis is – the process hasn’t actually been observed in humans, but there is evidence for it on the cellular level.” Professor Naismith believes that memory-improving programs are the best: the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory, is the most capable of neurogenesis.
How to choose the best brain exercise...