ORANJ
Staying Sharp Thanks To Our Brains’ Plasticity
On October 18, 2006, Michael Patterson from AARP addressed the fall meeting of ORANJ (the Organization of Residents Associations of New Jersey) at Stonebridge at Montgomery in Skillman, NJ. The meeting attracted a record turnout of over 100 people from various CCRCs (Continuous Care Retirement Communities) throughout the state. The presentation on brain health is part of a national Staying Sharp initiative, which is a joint project of NRTA: AARP’s Educator Community, (formerly the National Retired Teachers Association): and the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives.
The title was “Staying Sharp” but the presentation dealt not only with maintaining brain functioning but also with engaging its potential for growth and development in older people. In the old days, we used to hear about “the feeble brain” of the elderly. There was a widespread belief that we are born with all the neurons (nerve cells) we would ever have and that the number would diminish gradually as we age.
Recent research has overturned the old shibboleths. We now know that brains continue to generate new neurons throughout life, particularly in the hippocampus, which is critical to memory and learning. Further brains are not “hard wired” at birth, but keep changing by developing new synapses (connections between neurons) as a result of learning and experience. This growth in synapses can be tested empirically. For instance, in a study of British taxi drivers who are required to memorize the map of their territory, research showed that the section of the brain devoted to spatial recognition was significantly larger than that of non taxi driver cohorts.
It also turns out that we must make sure that the brain does not learn “bad” behaviors. For instance, if we walk with our backs bent over, the brain will learn to think of this as normal. Straightening up will help the brain to change its notion of normal. After a stroke when we are left with a defective arm, some physicians recommend putting the “good” arm into a restraining cast to encourage the brain to re-learn how to activate the “bad” arm.
According to Mr. Patterson, there is a growing consensus among neuroscientists that healthy brain behavior requires 1) physical activity, 2) mental activity, 3) cardiovascular health, 4) social engagement, staying involved with people, and 5) self mastery: engaging in successful new activities and especially those that involve many facets of behavior. Shopping, for instance, is such a multi faceted activity. It requires a) critical thinking – i.e. making choices, b) spatial learning – i.e. where are the desired objects, c) physical activity – i.e. traversing a supermarket or a Walmart, and d) social engagement – at least with the cashier at the check out counter.
The presentation was lively and stimulating. Fortunately, the presentation or a version of it, may be available to any CCRC if requested. For information about brain health and the Staying Sharp program, see the AARP website at http://www.aarp.org/health/brain/
