It is now well known that, for rodents, physical exercise is beneficial for brain health. Indeed, mice allowed to freely run on an exercise wheel grow more new neurons that mice not allowed to move freely. Importantly, these new neurons grow in an area crucial for memory formation: the hippocampus.

Neurogenesis (the birth and development of neurons) is difficult to estimate in the human brain as there are no way to directly count new neurons…
Recently, Small and his colleagues (2007) were able to use neuroimaging to study the effect of physical exercise on neurogenesis in humans. Their study involved a group of 11 middle-aged adults who had been exercising about four times a week, for three months. Results show exercise-related changes in the hippocampus, suggesting neurogenesis in this area.

This new study adds to the numerous results showing that physical exercise is good for the brain. Let’s keep moving then!

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Young brains are plastic. This means that they can change and reorganize to adapt to deficits. Is it the case for older brains as well? Recent research suggests that the answer is yes!

Dilks, from John Hopkins University, and his colleagues, studied the brain of a stroke patient (B.L.). Behavioral and brain imaging evidence showed that reorganization had occurred in B.L.’s visual cortex following his stroke. This study, published in September 2007, was the first to show plasticity in this part of the adult brain.

Evidence for plasticity in the adult brain is great news for brain fitness! Healthy and fit brains may be more plastic, and thus more resistant to deficits caused by age and age-related diseases.
So… keep exercising your brain!

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Have you ever wondered why you remember so vividly that argument you had with your boss 3 months ago or the first time you kissed your husband or wife?

If yes, you may have thought that your memory for these events was vivid because they occurred when you were experiencing a strong emotion: anger or happiness.
And you were right! Emotionally charged events are usually much better remembered than less emotionally charged events.
But why would that be the case?

A study published this month seems to have the answer: a state of high emotion triggers the release of norepinephrine, a hormone that increases the activity of nerve cells. This results in unusually strong memory circuits in the brain.

Read more here…

It’s long been known that all around health is the result of exercising good mental, physical and spiritual habits. Abuse or just lack of use of any one of these is likely to cause decline in all three. Along comes a study that shows that laboratory mice who have exercise wheels in their cages actually show an increase in new neurons compared to their couch-potato counterparts. Using something called the Morris water maze, the rodent equivalent of an IQ test, it was noted that the mice who exercised showed new growth of neurons, the brain cells that allow us to think. An article in the New York Times Play Magazine reveals that human brains can do the same thing. In fact, scientists have been finding more evidence that the human brain is not only capable of renewing itself, but that exercise speeds the process. The same can be said for stretching your brain with mental exercises. If a 3 ounce mouse can build new neurons, imagine what you can do for yourself with just a little exercise.

Take the informative Brain Food Quiz at WebMD

Brain Activity Reduces risk of Developing Neurodegenerative Diseases

A new study now confirms our beliefs: Train your brain on a regular basis and you should be able to considerably reduce risks to develop Alzheimer’s disease.

In Chicago, a major 5 year project that studied over 700 patients aged 80 and over has just come to an end and the medical team’s findings are unequivocal: an elderly person not practicing a brain activity is 2.6 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than a person with regular and stimulating brain activities such as reading, writing, listening to music or any other cultural activity.

The study also emphasizes the fact that these observations still apply when the activity is only taken up at an advanced age.

So it may never be too late to start training!

source: Reuters Health, Neurology 27, 2007

Following the success of Nintendo’s Brain Age, mobile publisher Digital Chocolate is releasing Brain Juice–a series of ‘casual games’ for your brain.

Juice your brain with three fun, brain-stimulating modes! Boost your brain with mind blowing Mini Games that give your brain a well-deserved workout! Timed Mini Games include Quick Math, Path Memorization, Color Counting and more! Track your daily progress and challenge up to three friends at the same time in the ultimate battle of the minds! (more)

Some reviews suggest however, that the games may not completely reach their goal.

Not only does boredom set in after the first couple of days, the exercises come down to your dexterity with your phone’s keypad as much as they do to the power of your brain.

A practice game mode enables you to try your hand at any of the challenges you’ve unlocked so far, but with the results not counting toward your brain wattage, it adds little interest. The multiplayer mode wears thin just as quickly. There’s just no incentive to keep going.

Still, the casual game category will be one to watch–both online and on mobile in the coming years–as it often finds success with audiences who don’t enjoy the traditional ‘gamer’ style console and handheld games.

[More on Digital Chocolate and the casual game market via Australian IT magazine.]