ASA - American Society on Aging

MindAlert
Sponsored by the MetLife Foundation

ASA Mental Fitness Resources

Mental Fitness Research: Maintaining and Enhancing Cognitive Function in Later Life

Enhancing our lives as we age has been the theme of many studies over the past 30 years. Researchers such as John Rowe and Jack Kahn in their MacArthur Studies of Successful Aging investigated factors from genetics to lifestyle and environment as part of the puzzle defining healthy living. A key component to these many studies of successful, positive, productive or satisfying lives focuses on maintaining cognitive function.

Studies have shown the brain as dynamic and changing at any age. MetLife Foundation and the American Society on Aging seek to encourage and expand the work of researchers sharing their findings and grassroots non-profits reaching older adults with information and sound educational programs. This section outlines important concepts, key research and programs that have influenced the field of cognitive fitness over the past eight years.

Neurogenesis and Brain Plasticity

The good news coming from current research is the dynamic nature of brain that allows for continued growth and learning throughout life. Animal studies conducted in the 1960s revealed the capability of brain cells specifically the neurons, to regeneration in the hippocampus—an area of the brain vitally important to laying down new memories and information. This process called neurogenesis depends on exposure to stimulating environments.

Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to “rewire” itself when stimulated by a new experience or learning and practice. Research in the 1980s showed this ability to change as available to adults of any age and is continuing to be explored

The following is a short list of researchers and instructors that in their work highlight various aspects of the environment in improving their student’s brain fitness:

Fernandez, A. and E. Goldberg. (2009). The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness. SharpBrain, San Francisco, CA.

McCleary, L (2007). The Brain Trust Program: A Scientifically Based Three-Part Plan to Improve Memory, Elevate Mood, Enhance Attention, Alleviate Migraine and Menopausal Symptoms, and Boost Mental Energy. Perigee Trade, New York, NY. Medina, J. (2009) Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School. Pear Press, Seattle, WA.

Nussbaum, P. ( 2005). Love Your Brain- A Lifestyle Guide to Brain Health Across Your Life Span. MetLife, New York, NY.
(2007). Your Brain Health Lifestyle. Word Associate Publishers, Tarentum, PA.

Small, G.W. and G. Vorgan. (2005) The Memory Prescription: Dr. Gary Small's 14-Day Plan To Keep Your Brain And Body Young. Hyperion, New York, NY.

Other important studies on the environmental factors enriching the brain include the work of Marian Diamond (click here to see her MindAlert Lecture monograph), Sherry Willis (click here to see her MindAlert Lecture monograph), Michael Marsiske (click here to see his MindAlert Lecture monograph)and John Raty (click here to see his MindAlert monograph).

The following studies emphasize the potential of neuroplasticity as part of enhancing cognitive fitness:

Smith, G.E., P. Housen, K. Yaffe, R. Ruff, R.F. Kennison, H.W. Mahncke, E.M. Zelinski. (2009) “A Cognitive Training Program Based on Principles of Brain Plasticity: Results from the Improvement in Memory with Plasticity-based Adaptive Cognitive Training (IMPACT) study.” J Am Geriatr Soc. Apr;57(4):594-603.

This study investigated the effectiveness of a brain plasticity-based computerized cognitive training program in older adults. Randomized groups of older adults received either the computerized training or a novelty-and intensity-matched general cognitive stimulation program. Not only did auditory memory and attention improved in for those participating in the computerized program, but also memory and attention in general improved over the active control group.

Mahnke, H.W., BB Conner, J Appleman, O.N. Ahsanuddin, J.L. Hardy, R.A. Wood, N.M. Joyce, T. Boniske, S.M. Atkins and MM. Merzenich. 2006. “Memory Enhancement in Healthy Older Adults Using Brain Plasticity-Based Training Program- A Randomized, Controlled Study.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA, 103 (33):12523-28.
Since brain plasticity processes with negative consequences may dominate functioning in combination with “aging brain machinery”, a downward spiral of reduced function results. This loss of brain function can be halted and possibly reversed with improvements in sensation, cognition, memory, motor control with training. Significant improvements were found among the control group using the training. This study concluded, “Older adults could learn the training program quickly, and could use it entirely unsupervised for the majority of the time required”.

Brain Training is emphasized in the following study:

Boron, J.B., N.A. Turiano, S.L. Willis, K.W. Schai. 2007. Effects of Cognitive Training on Change in Accuracy in Inductive Reasoning Ability. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci., 62(3):P179-86.

The study investigated the effectiveness of a reasoning training program and the effectiveness in the presence of chronic disease. The reasoning training group showed significantly greater gain in accuracy and inductive reasoning performance than did the comparison group; gain was primarily due to enhanced accuracy.

Creativity and Cognitive Fitness

Recent work by Gene Cohen (click here to see his MindAlert Lecture monograph) described older adults involved in creative endeavors showed improvement in memory and other health factors. His work shows through creative involvement enhances the function of the aging brain.

Cohen, G. D. 2000. The Creative Age: Awakening the Human Potential in the Second Half of Life. New York: Avon Books.

Cohen, G. D. 2006. “Research on Creativity and Aging: The Positive Impact of the Arts on Health and Illness”. Generations, 30(1): 7-15.

Cohen, G.D. et al. 2006. “The Impact of Professionally Conducted Cultural Programs on the Physical Health, Mental Health, and Social Functioning of Older Adults”. The Gerontologist, 46(6):726-734.

Flood,M. and K. Scharer. 2006. “Creativity Enhancement: Possibilities for Successful Aging.” Issues Ment Health Nurs. 27(9):939-59
When a functional performance and a creativity intervention were administered to predict an indication of successful aging –purpose in life, functional performance was a statistically significant predictor. The author stated ” Although the intervention did not appear to increase creativity or successful aging, there were some statistically significant results and valuable findings about the possibilities for creativity enhancement.”

Physical Activity and Cognitive Fitness

John Ratey’s Mindalert Lecture monograph (Click here to view) highlights some of his extensive research on the brain-body connection. Other significant work includes:

Erickson K.I., R.S. Prakash, M.W. Voss, L. Chaddock, L. Hu, K.S. Morris, S.M. White, T. R Wójcicki, E. McAuley, A. F. Kramer. 2009. “Aerobic Fitness Is Associated with Hippocampal Volume in Elderly Humans.” Hippocampus. Jan 2.
Decay of the hippocampus, a important part of the brain in forming memory is a normal aging process. This study found that with higher aerobic fitness levels the hippocampus was larger. Additionally, the fitness levels and larger hippocampus appeared to improve special memory in older adults.

Physical Activity and Cognitive Fitness

The field of brain research is progressing at lightening speed. To keep informed of new research in cognitive fitness, turn to MindAlert Related Links for current findings and updates.