Improving Brain Fitness and Health

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Science of the Brain: How the Mind Works

It may seem like the Internet has an overwhelming number of links but it’s really quite simple compared to the human brain, which has roughly 1,000 trillion connections—about the same as the number of leaves on all the trees in a rainforest. Nevertheless, trying to navigate the Web in search of precisely what you’re looking for can make you feel like you’re lost in the forest. There are countless sites on brain structure, brain function, and brain fitness. You’ll see brain images of every type as well as photos of actual human and animal brains from every angle and perspective. There are plenty of teaching tools including games, experiments, labs, and lesson plans. You’ll even find a host of blogs about the brain. Using this guide to brain science on the Web can give you a “head” start.

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The Brain and Neuroscience Basics

The U.S. government declared the 1990s the “Decade of the Brain,” and the amount and ... read more »

The Functions and Structure of the Brain

There is such a wealth of information on the Internet on the topics of neuroanatomy (brain ... read more »

The Latest Brain and Neuroscience Research

Although scientists are only beginning to scratch the surface, new technologies are helping to ... read more »

Blogs about Brain and Neuroscience Issues

If you don’t have the time or interest to pore over abstracts or dryly written academic ... read more »

Teaching Kids and Teens about the Brain and Neuroscience

More and more teachers—from elementary to college level—are posting their curricula ... read more »

Improving Brain Fitness and Health

With life expectancy on the rise, it’s becoming increasingly important to preserve cognitive functioning so that we can remain active, vibrant, and mentally sharp in our golden years. Experts now believe that well-directed mental exercise is a must for cognitive enhancement and healthy aging. The following sites provide a wealth of information on preserving brain fitness, exploring the importance of cognitive exercises, nutrition, and physical exercise as methods of keeping our brains healthy and “young.”

Dulcinea's Insight

Most Web sites contain a glossary of relevant terms, but one word that is of particular significance with respect to brain fitness is “plasticity.” Brain plasticity (also known as neuroplasticity) refers to the brain’s ability to change with learning. It has myriad implications and has thus been the topic of a wealth of research that, in many cases, has yielded astounding results.

Many books have been written about brain plasticity. Two excellent choices are: The Brain That Changes Itself by Dr. Norman Doidge and Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain by Sharon Begley.

Just as you would with a physical exercise regimen, you should choose “neural training” activities that you find interesting and fun so that you will continue doing them on a regular basis.

The best idea when trying to keep the brain in shape is to take a variety of approaches, rather than rely on any one hobby. For example, crossword puzzles may help with a brain function called fluency, or word finding. Fluency is a type of process based in the speech and language centers of the brain.

Mixing things up a bit, you might also want to try joining a ballroom dance class. Each time you learn a new dance step, new neural pathways are created in your brain, giving instructions to your body on how to perform the step.

Dulcinea's Picks

To learn about brain plasticity…

Neuroscience for Kids presents “Brain Plasticity: What Is It?”, a concise overview of brain plasticity. Learn neuroscientific terms that are presented in a way that can be understood by laymen and children. Read an overview of brain plasticity, facts about neuroplasticity, how plasticity develops and changes as the brain ages, and how plasticity affects learning and memory.

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Brain Fitness Channel presents “Brain Plasticity, Brain Change,” an easy-to-understand article on brain plasticity and cognition that stresses the importance of brain “exercise” in improving learning, memory, and concentration. Take advantage of the site’s brain fitness tests and tips, as well as countless links to brain plasticity and fitness breakthroughs and news.

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For information and brain exercises …

SharpBrains has myriad resources on brain vitality and health, separated into easy-to-navigate categories ranging from factual to fun. Find information about brain nutrition and physical and mental exercises that improve cognition and memory, or read blogs, articles, and newsletters. Software, books, and other educational resources are also available for purchase.

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Brain Fitness Channel is straightforward, fun and easy to navigate. Find a wealth of valuable information about the brain and associated disorders, as well as tests, games, puzzles, and exercises all aimed at optimizing brain fitness. Don’t miss the 14 valuable “Tips for Brain Fitness” and the short articles written for nonscientists about the latest brain fitness research.

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Recommended Brain Fitness Activities is a subsection of the Brain Fitness Channel that’s quick and fun to read, and offers valuable insights, to boot. The site provides 14 brain fitness activities—along with brief explanations for why they work—that can be easily integrated into most anyone’s life. (Especially when one of the tips is adding dark chocolate to your diet!)

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ThirdAge , a news site, presents “Brain Fitness—Five Exercises to Strengthen Those Synapses!” The site is somewhat busy, with the article sandwiched between advertisements and links on both margins. Nevertheless, reading this article is time well spent. Dive in for five simple and unique brain exercises with brief explanations of how each improves mental fitness.

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