A couple of years ago my sister moved to Spain with her two young children. The process of learning a new language has been slow and hard work for my sister, requiring hours of dedicated study and instruction. But her children have absorbed not one but two dialects of Spanish, and already switch effortlessly between their native and adopted tongues. The neurological processes that account for the amazing plasticity of the child's brain also make possible the exciting new field of brain training.
During the critical period of childhood learning, a child's brain produces large quantities of a protein known as BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). This process triggers the nucleus basalis (the brain's attention center), keeping the brain constantly ready to absorb new memories and skills. Children pay attention to everything... well, almost everything.
In their late teenage years (the end of critical learning period), an adolescent's brain releases even greater quantities of BDNF, shutting down this ability to effortlessly absorb and retain new information. As adults we need to consolidate the information we've absorbed in our growing years. Closing off the critical period prevents us from becoming saturated with too much information, and facilitates decision-making and long-term focus.
As scientists have shown, however, the adult brain isn't cut off from further growth and change. We can reactivate the the brain's plasticity by carrying out mental tasks that require focus and attention while inducing a sense of achievement or satisfaction. These conditions result in the growth of new nerve cells and plastic change.
These are the goals of a good brain training program. Intense focus and challenge on a task that strengthens core brain functions. Our brains begin grow new nerve cells and restructure themselves to adapt to the new stimulus.
The Three Steps to Cognitive Improvement
1. Focus
When we apply focus and attention the nucleus basalis releases a substance called acetylcholine. Acetylcholine tells the brain's memory center to pay attention so that we will hold on to the memories being formed.
2. Reward
Tackling a mental challenge that yields a sense of satisfaction or reward causes the brain to produce a second substance crucial to plastic change called dopamine.
3. Targeted Training
Together these two brain chemicals stimulate the growth of new nerve cells, and produce conditions under which the brain can grow and change. If this mental condition is accompanied by an exercise that strengthens and improves core functions, we end up with lasting improvements in our mental ability.
Brain Training In Everyday Life
There are many activities that stimulate neural growth and help us stay mentally fit - studying a new language, tackling puzzles and brain teasers, learning a new skill - but while these are relevant and worthy pursuits, they're not as targeted and effective as a carefully designed and scientifically tested brain training exercise.
The right brain training software can strengthen core brain functions in a highly efficient, measurable and predictable way. This brings a slew of possibilities: Brain training is being used today for correcting learning dysfunctions, reversing the adverse effects of aging, helping to delay or prevent the onset of Alzheimer's symptoms or dementia, improving academic success, and for plain old self-improvement. Some training programs can even produce measurable increases in fluid intelligence or problem-solving ability - until recently believed to be impossible.
It's still so new that the brain training industry inevitably churns out some programs that are at best only moderately effective, and at worst pretty near useless. On the other hand, the better brain training programs are founded on excellent science and produce reliable results.
Before purchasing a brain training program, check the scientific pedigree of the training exercises it incorporates. Does the vendor spell out specifically what the training will accomplish, providing measurable gains in memory or processing ability? And does the product come with a training schedule, telling you how much time you should devote to the exercises and over what period you should train?
It's perhaps equally important to remember that brain training requires something from us, too. Plastic change can't be had without diligence and stamina. To use the analogy of physical fitness, we can't expect to increase our brain power without breaking a mental sweat. If we are willing to make the investment, however, the rewards will be well worth the effort.
During the critical period of childhood learning, a child's brain produces large quantities of a protein known as BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). This process triggers the nucleus basalis (the brain's attention center), keeping the brain constantly ready to absorb new memories and skills. Children pay attention to everything... well, almost everything.
In their late teenage years (the end of critical learning period), an adolescent's brain releases even greater quantities of BDNF, shutting down this ability to effortlessly absorb and retain new information. As adults we need to consolidate the information we've absorbed in our growing years. Closing off the critical period prevents us from becoming saturated with too much information, and facilitates decision-making and long-term focus.
As scientists have shown, however, the adult brain isn't cut off from further growth and change. We can reactivate the the brain's plasticity by carrying out mental tasks that require focus and attention while inducing a sense of achievement or satisfaction. These conditions result in the growth of new nerve cells and plastic change.
The Three Steps to Cognitive Improvement
1. Focus
When we apply focus and attention the nucleus basalis releases a substance called acetylcholine. Acetylcholine tells the brain's memory center to pay attention so that we will hold on to the memories being formed.
2. Reward
Tackling a mental challenge that yields a sense of satisfaction or reward causes the brain to produce a second substance crucial to plastic change called dopamine.
3. Targeted Training
Together these two brain chemicals stimulate the growth of new nerve cells, and produce conditions under which the brain can grow and change. If this mental condition is accompanied by an exercise that strengthens and improves core functions, we end up with lasting improvements in our mental ability.
Brain Training In Everyday Life
There are many activities that stimulate neural growth and help us stay mentally fit - studying a new language, tackling puzzles and brain teasers, learning a new skill - but while these are relevant and worthy pursuits, they're not as targeted and effective as a carefully designed and scientifically tested brain training exercise.
The right brain training software can strengthen core brain functions in a highly efficient, measurable and predictable way. This brings a slew of possibilities: Brain training is being used today for correcting learning dysfunctions, reversing the adverse effects of aging, helping to delay or prevent the onset of Alzheimer's symptoms or dementia, improving academic success, and for plain old self-improvement. Some training programs can even produce measurable increases in fluid intelligence or problem-solving ability - until recently believed to be impossible.
It's still so new that the brain training industry inevitably churns out some programs that are at best only moderately effective, and at worst pretty near useless. On the other hand, the better brain training programs are founded on excellent science and produce reliable results.
Before purchasing a brain training program, check the scientific pedigree of the training exercises it incorporates. Does the vendor spell out specifically what the training will accomplish, providing measurable gains in memory or processing ability? And does the product come with a training schedule, telling you how much time you should devote to the exercises and over what period you should train?
It's perhaps equally important to remember that brain training requires something from us, too. Plastic change can't be had without diligence and stamina. To use the analogy of physical fitness, we can't expect to increase our brain power without breaking a mental sweat. If we are willing to make the investment, however, the rewards will be well worth the effort.
About the Author:
Oxford-trained scientist, author, and technologist, Martin G. Walker is a member of The British Neuroscience Association, Learning and The Brain, and MENSA. His company Mind Sparke publishes free information on the field of neuroscience and brain training as well as effective and affordable brain training software.
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