Washington — New human research released today shows the benefits and challenges for the aging brain. The studies probe common characteristics of normal aging — including memory loss, reduced sleep quality, and decision-making problems — and suggest the benefits of exercise, hormone treatment, and social interaction. The findings were presented at Neuroscience 2011, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience and the world's largest source of emerging news about brain science and health.
Neuroscientists believe the brain can remain relatively healthy as it ages. By better understanding the aging brain, researchers hope to benefit the 500 million people worldwide who are 65 or older.
Today's new findings show that:
"Even as the body begins to slow down as we age, the brain, when challenged by physical and mental activities, continues to grow and change," said press conference moderator Barbara Sahakian, PhD, of the University of Cambridge, who studies ways to improve cognition. "These findings offer new information about how the brain ages, and also highlights ways to educate older adults about playing a more active role in their brain health."
This research was supported by national funding agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health, as well as private and philanthropic organizations.
View the full release and summaries at http://www.sfn.org/index.aspx?pagename=news_111311_agingbrain