Brain Experts: The Primary Difference Between "Super-Agers" and Those with Weaker Memory

Author: BalanceGenics Longevity Research Team (How100.com)

Understanding "Super-Agers"

A unique group of individuals, referred to as "super-agers" by longevity researchers, display cognitive functions that are decades younger than their actual age, even well into their 80s. In stark contrast, some people's brains appear older than their chronological age, a situation most hope to avoid.

The Importance of Brain Health in Aging

Colin Milner, CEO of the International Council on Active Aging and founder of the active-aging industry in North America, highlighted during a media interview the critical importance of preventing brain aging in the fight against overall aging. While physical strength can be restored and enhanced at various life stages, managing brain health is particularly complex, especially when it comes to cognitive disorders like Alzheimer's disease. Although medications may slow the progression, the process often begins long before symptoms appear. Thus, reducing risk factors and enhancing cognitive abilities should be a priority for older adults.

Insights from Dr. Marc Milstein

Dr. Marc Milstein, a neuroscience researcher and author of "The Age-Proof Brain," has extensively studied the impact of lifestyle choices on brain health. Holding a PhD in Biochemistry from UCLA and a Bachelor's degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Dr. Milstein has conducted research in genetics, cancer biology, and neuroscience. His findings reveal that behaviors, rather than solely genetics, play a profound role in determining brain health.

The Key Difference

According to Dr. Milstein, the primary distinction between super-agers and those with weaker memory skills lies in their lifelong habit of continuous learning. This insight comes from an 18-month study conducted in 2021.

Lifelong Learning

Super-agers make it a point to learn something new every day. Dr. Milstein likens the brain to a bank account: learning new things creates "deposits," forming new neural connections. Our memories reside in these connections. As we age, we naturally lose some of these connections, similar to making withdrawals from a bank account. The more deposits we make throughout our lives, the less significant the impact of these withdrawals.

One study highlighted that adults with longer education periods exhibited more activity in the frontal lobes during memory tests, an area associated with better memory performance. Dr. Milstein stressed that higher education isn't the sole avenue for maintaining memory. Another study showed that even individuals with lower formal education levels could achieve comparable memory test scores if they frequently engaged in activities like attending lectures, writing, and reading.

Types of Learning That Benefit Brain Health

Maintaining brain health involves more than playing Sudoku, Wordle, or crossword puzzles. While these activities offer cognitive benefits, they primarily employ pre-existing knowledge and skills.

Learning New Skills

Dr. Milstein emphasizes that creating significant new neural connections requires learning new skills and information. This process should be challenging and may even evoke feelings of frustration. His research indicates that super-agers embrace, and sometimes even crave, the sensation of being challenged when learning something outside their expertise.

"Cross-Training" Your Brain

Much like physical exercise, learning should target different areas of the brain. You wouldn't go to the gym and only work on your forearms; similarly, you shouldn't limit your brain exercises. Dr. Milstein suggests that learning a new language, new sport, or new instrument engages different parts of the brain. Mixing mental and physical learning activities offers the best results.

Practical Tips for Brain Training

Dr. Milstein recommends a structured approach to brain exercise:

• Day 1: Engage in mentally stimulating activities like listening to a podcast or taking an online course.
• Day 2: Participate in physical learning activities like new sports, dance, or yoga poses.
• Day 3: Socialize. Meet friends for coffee or attend a dinner party, as social interactions are linked to dementia prevention.

Regardless of the activity, learning something new helps keep your brain young. If you discovered something new by reading this article, you are already helping your brain slow down the aging process, according to Dr. Milstein.

Conclusion

Investing in brain health through continuous learning and varied activities is essential for aging gracefully. By drawing on the insights of experts like Colin Milner and Dr. Marc Milstein, individuals can take proactive steps to maintain cognitive function and overall brain health as they age.

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Related Academic Papers and Articles:

1. "The Role of Continuous Learning in Cognitive Health" by Stern, Y. et al. (2012).

   • Explores the impact of lifelong learning on brain health.
   • Link to the paper

2. "Educational Attainment and Cognitive Decline: A Review" by Tucker, A. M., et al. (2019).

   • Discusses how education affects memory and cognitive function in older adults.
   • Link to the paper

3. "Physical Activity and Brain Health in Aging" by Erickson, K. I., et al. (2012).

   • Reviews the benefits of physical exercise on cognitive health.
   • Link to the paper

4. "The Impact of Social Engagement on Cognitive Health" by Kuiper, J. S., et al. (2016).

   • Examines the effects of social interaction on dementia risk.
   • Link to the paper

5. "Novel Learning and Its Effects on the Aging Brain" by Park, D. C., et al. (2013).

   • Investigates how learning new skills impacts brain aging.
   • Link to the paper

By adopting these strategies and insights, you can work towards preserving your cognitive abilities and maintain a youthful, engaged brain as you age.