Dr. Arthur Kramer is a Professor in the University of Illinois Department of Psychology, the Campus Neuroscience Program, the Beckman Institute, and the Director of the Biomedical Imaging Center at the University of Illinois.

I am honored to interview him today.

Dr. Kramer, thank you for your time. Let’s start by trying to clarify some existing misconceptions and controversies. Based on what we know today, and your recent Nature piece (Note: referenced below), what are the 2-3 key lifestyle habits would you suggest to a person who wants to delay Alzheimer’s symptoms and improve overall brain health?

First, Be Active. Do physical exercise. Aerobic exercise, 30 to 60 minutes per day 3 days per week, has been shown to have an impact in a variety of experiments. And you don’t need to do something strenuous: even walking has shown that effect. There are many open questions in terms of specific types of exercise, duration, magnitude of effect…but, as we wrote in our recent Nature Reviews Neuroscience article, there is little doubt that leading a sedentary life is bad for our cognitive health. Cardiovascular exercise seems to have a positive effect.

Second, Maintain Lifelong Intellectual Engagement. There is abundant prospective observational research showing that doing more mentally stimulating activities reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s symptoms.

Let me add, given all media hype, that no “brain game” in particular has been shown to have a long-term impact on Alzheimer’s or the maintenance of cognition across extended periods of time. It is too early for that-and consumers should be aware of that fact. It is true that some companies are being more science-based than others but, in my view, the consumer-oriented field is growing faster than the research is.

Ideally, combine both physical and mental stimulation along with social interactions. Why not take a good walk with friends to discuss a book? We lead very busy lives, so the more integrated and interesting activities are, the more likely we will do them.

 

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Just came across this very stimulating and fun Traveler IQ interactive game…enjoy!

 

Link: Traveler IQ Challenge

Note: at the bottom of the page you can select a variety of challenges (flags of the world, UNESCO sites, North America…) My favourite: Photos of the World.

Another great week full of interesting and relevant articles. We will start a new tradition: we will end up the week (either on Friday or during the weekend) with a round-up of the articles we haven’t been able to comment on during the week. Please feel free to send us your suggestions too!

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Brave Heart: does will power reside in heart?

• “A recent study has looked into the issue of whether cognitive self -regulation (will power / motivation) is also associated with HRV. The study reported that higher baseline HRV was associated with more will-power and ability to resist temptation.”

Book review: Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain by Sharon Begley

• “Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain is as entertaining as it is edifying. This unlikely page turner fascinates, and suggests optimism about your brain’s capacities.
  Considering the aging baby boom generation and the demands this group has created in every phase of life, if a culture of mental fitness develops, it won’t surprise me. Being a boomer myself, I’m all for it. I just hope I don’t have to become a bodhisattva to reap the benefits.”

Newsweek: Clear link between exercise and improved cognition

• “Last week, in a landmark paper, researchers announced that Read the rest of this entry »

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation just contacted us to alert us of what looks like a fun concept: they are doing a major PR push to drive as many people as possible to do an online IQ test in their site, and they will compare averages accross cities, professions Tattoo Artists, Millionaires, Fitness Instructors, Surgeons, Mayors, Talk Jocks and Celebrities)…

The test will be posted online on March 18 at 3pm EST and broadcast to Canada at 8pm.

You can learn more here.