Last year my sister moved to Spain with her two young children. For my sister, the process of learning a new language has been slow and hard work, involving hours of dedicated study and instruction. But her children have absorbed not one but two dialects of Spanish as if by osmosis, and already switch effortlessly back and forth between their native and adopted tongues. Scientists now understand the neurological processes that account for the amazing plasticity of the child's brain. And this understanding lays the foundation for the exciting new field of brain training.
A child's brain produces large amounts of a protein known as BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). BDNF stimulates the brain's center of attention and memory formation. For children, the copious production of BDNF means that their brains are constantly ready to take in new information and form new brain structures.
Toward the end of the critical learning period, an adolescent's brain releases even greater quantities of BDNF, shutting down this ability to effortlessly absorb and retain new information. By adulthood it is important for the brain to begin to consolidate the information it has absorbed in the formative years. Closing off the critical period prevents our brains 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 hopelessly cut off from further growth and change. We can reactivate the absorption of new information by engaging in mental tasks that requires focus and attention. When these mental tasks also induce a sense of achievement or satisfaction, we can create the conditions for the growth of new nerve cells and plastic change.
When we tackle novel and rewarding activities with intense focus, our brains begin grow new nerve cells and restructure themselves to adapt to the new stimulus. The key to effective brain training is to create conditions that require attention and reward that attention while strengthening core brain functions such as memory, processing speed, focus, and overall processing capacity (problem-solving ability).
The Three Pillars of Brain Training
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. Challenge
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. Exercise of Core Brain Functions
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.
Practical Applications of Brain Training
While a host of activities (card games, puzzles, learning a new skill) can catalyze neural growth and help us stay in good mental shape, these incidental benefits tend to be less pointed and dramatic than we can achieve with a scientifically designed and tested brain training program.
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.
Unfortunately, it can be difficult for a consumer to know which brain training products are the right products. Some products billed as 'brain training' programs engage the user in teasers and games that don't have a true scientific foundation. Others may work but cost hundreds of dollars or require a big time commitment.
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?
And finally, we should remember that the critical ingredients for plastic change are focus and challenge. Just as we don't expect to stay physically fit without breaking a sweat, a truly effective brain training program requires our attention and effort. The rewards, however, can be worth every ounce of that investment. - 16492
A child's brain produces large amounts of a protein known as BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). BDNF stimulates the brain's center of attention and memory formation. For children, the copious production of BDNF means that their brains are constantly ready to take in new information and form new brain structures.
Toward the end of the critical learning period, an adolescent's brain releases even greater quantities of BDNF, shutting down this ability to effortlessly absorb and retain new information. By adulthood it is important for the brain to begin to consolidate the information it has absorbed in the formative years. Closing off the critical period prevents our brains 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 hopelessly cut off from further growth and change. We can reactivate the absorption of new information by engaging in mental tasks that requires focus and attention. When these mental tasks also induce a sense of achievement or satisfaction, we can create the conditions for the growth of new nerve cells and plastic change.
When we tackle novel and rewarding activities with intense focus, our brains begin grow new nerve cells and restructure themselves to adapt to the new stimulus. The key to effective brain training is to create conditions that require attention and reward that attention while strengthening core brain functions such as memory, processing speed, focus, and overall processing capacity (problem-solving ability).
The Three Pillars of Brain Training
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. Challenge
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. Exercise of Core Brain Functions
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.
Practical Applications of Brain Training
While a host of activities (card games, puzzles, learning a new skill) can catalyze neural growth and help us stay in good mental shape, these incidental benefits tend to be less pointed and dramatic than we can achieve with a scientifically designed and tested brain training program.
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.
Unfortunately, it can be difficult for a consumer to know which brain training products are the right products. Some products billed as 'brain training' programs engage the user in teasers and games that don't have a true scientific foundation. Others may work but cost hundreds of dollars or require a big time commitment.
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?
And finally, we should remember that the critical ingredients for plastic change are focus and challenge. Just as we don't expect to stay physically fit without breaking a sweat, a truly effective brain training program requires our attention and effort. The rewards, however, can be worth every ounce of that investment. - 16492
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 Evolve Software publishes free information on the field of neuroscience and brain training as well as effective and affordable brain training software under the brand name Mind Sparke.
