Memory & Mood

Train Your Brain for Better Memory and Function

We know that regular exercise keeps our muscles strong and flexible as we age. But it turns out that our aging brains also benefit from regular mental “workout” sessions to maintain memory and function during our senior years. But when it comes to training our brains, what mental exercises work best?

Keeping Mental Decline at Bay

“For cognitive training to be effective at improving memory and function, it has to be novel,” explains Karlene Ball, Ph.D., UAB professor of sociology and behavioral science. “Many people talk about the importance of reading and doing crossword puzzles, but research shows that these activities – while worthwhile – may or may not be effective. Instead, activities that challenge your mind in a completely new way are the most effective at improving memory and your ability to perform many everyday activities.”

Dr. Ball also stresses that staying active and socially engaged are two keys to preventing mental decline during our senior years. “We’re finding that people who remain active and socially connected are the ones who, generally, aren’t declining as they age. But those who stay home and aren’t involved socially are more at risk for cognitive decline.”

Dr. Balls adds that factors having a negative impact on cognitive function as we age include fatigue, poor nutrition, and depression. “Each of these factors is important, but depression, in particular, can significantly reduce a person’s cognitive function. Again, we know that remaining socially active and engaged helps to fight depression.”

Fun, Effective Cognitive Training Based on UAB Research

Dr. Ball and her colleagues at the Roybal Center for Translational Research on Aging and Mobility — part of the UAB Center for Aging — have developed an innovative and effective computer-based cognitive training program that’s now available for use on your home computer. “We developed this interactive computer-based training program for use in a multi-site, 10-year clinical research study. The program has been shown to significantly improve older adults’ abilities in the areas of memory, information processing, and reasoning.”

The home version of the training, called InSight — based directly on the computer program developed at UAB — is currently available for purchase through Posit Science. “The program is engaging, fun, and — as research has proven — very effective for older adults.”

InSight is designed to improve the visual system of the brain, which is an important component of brain fitness because a great deal of our experiences and memories are defined by what we see. Specifically, InSight works by improving the quality and quantity of the information your brain absorbs from your eyes. The system uses five intriguing computer-based games — with names like “Road Tour” and “Bird Safari” — that are designed to adjust to each player’s performance level. “As you improve, the tasks get more difficult. But you receive positive reinforcement along the way. The program continually pushes you to a more challenging level.”

Research has shown that the training program greatly improves several skills older adults need to live independently, including driving. “The training program has been clinically evaluated with respect to driving. The results show that trained drivers receive a wide range of driving benefits,” explains Dr. Ball.

Some of the driving-related benefits of the computer training include:

• A 40% reduction in unsafe driving maneuvers, such as unsafe lane changes;
• A 20% average increase in useful field of view – the area over which a person can see without moving his or her eyes or head. This improvement makes it easier for drivers to see more hazards on the road;
• An increase in reaction time so that drivers traveling 55 mph can stop 22 feet sooner to avoid collisions;
• An increase in driving confidence so that people can drive longer, drive in difficult conditions, and drive more frequently.

“We’ve recently partnered with State Farm Insurance in the state of Alabama for a study on the impact of the InSight training on claims history and other driving-related variables,” Dr. Ball adds. “As part of the study, State Farm will offer the program free to all of their Alabama auto insurance customers who are over age 75.”

Dr. Ball concludes that the primary value of the training is helping older adults hold on to many of the skills they need to live an independent life. “And for most older adults, independence means peace of mind and freedom.”