Can Science Put an End to "Senior Moments"?

As we age, some people's brains stay sharp, others get a little fuzzy. We're not talking about changes caused by dementia or Alzheimer's, just the normal wear and tear that happens over the years -- you know, what people euphemistically call "senior moments." My Grandmother was sharp as a tack until her death at 98. My Dad, now 83, seems to spend many of his days in a state of muzzy confusion, not certain what day it is, what happened yesterday or where he left things. Scientists want to know why age affects our brains differently.

As our population grays, the question becomes increasingly critical. Most people in their 60s today can easily expect to live into their mid-80s. Most people in their 50s will still be blowing out birthday candles well into their 90s. Improvements in health care insure that our bodies will keep on chugging; it's time science made sure our brains can keep up.

That was the focus of a recent gathering of brain specialists organized by the National Institute on Aging to explore promising research. "We need to understand how to defer normal cognitive aging ... the way we've invested in fighting heart disease and cancer," said Dr. Denise Park, director of the University of Illinois Center for Healthy Minds.

The only sure-fire method of maintaining mental acuity documented so far is physical exercise. Other promising options targeted for further study include:

• possible benefits of brain-training games like crossword puzzles and sudoku,
• medications that might strengthen neural networks in the brain, and
• methods for encouraging the brain to build new pathways when old ones disintegrate or are damaged by aging, a process that naturally occurs in some brains.

For now, get out there and walk or get some other physical exercise at least three times a week. In a study, 72 -year-olds who walked three times a week significantly improved brain activity. Brain scans showed activity levels similar to those of much younger adults. So what are you waiting for? Get moving!