Please keep up the great work.

Now, it is perhaps not “volume” that grows (our skulls limit overall volume) but density and weight, overall and in specific brain structures. Pretty amazing, isn’t it?

Thanks for the comment. Given the existing evidence, we have decided in favor of a multi-pronged approach, that highlights the benefits of physical exercise, mental stimulation, stress management and good nutrition.

This approach is consistent with excellent recent public health efforts led by the Alzheimer’s Association and the Dana Foundation For Brain Initiatives, both of which are grounded on four close-to-identical pillars or factors.

Why a multi-pronged approach vs. a “one size fits all”?

Because different bodies of research suggest the benefits of different approaches, and there is few research contrasting their interactions directly (as Dr. Michelon points above).

For example, advocating that “there should be more emphasis on physical exercise than mental stimulation” would ignore a large body of Cognitive Reserve research on the benefits of lifelong education and mental stimulation to reduce the probability of developing Alzheimer’s symptoms, very solid large-scale clinical trials such as ACTIVE, and many controlled trials that show the benefits of well-directed mental exercise like meditation, cognitive therapy, computerized cognitive training, for specific populations and goals.

Another example on why a “one size fits all” is not the best approach: the benefits of physical exercise are mostly based on moving people from Sedentary to Slightly Active. Now, there are many people who are not Sedentary, who may benefit from other approaches.

So, I would turn the tables, and say that, right now, most brain health public education efforts are based on a multi-pronged approach and if anyone wants to focus exclusively on one factor for everyone and everything will have to prove a more solid case than the one availabe on existing data today.

By doing a little reading on your great website I understand there is a great emphasis on how to keep the brain sharp and I am must admit many great tips. However in my opinion physical exercise appears to give more value to better brain health in general than doing mental exercises. This is because when doing mental exercise it is virtually minimal to see a positive transfer affect other than the task you training in.

With physical exercise there is general transfer effect and until proved otherwise there should be more emphasis on physical exercise than mental stimulation.