TITLE

Can You Get Smarter?

DESCRIPTION

The author asks “Can you get smarter by exercising — or altering — your brain?” This extensive review article poses the question after pointing out that cognitive decline may begin, normally, by the late 50s or early 60s.  He also notes that there are a number of programs, websites, apps, health “food” and herbal claims that all state that their programs and substances will prevent cognitive decline and keep a person cognitively sharper.   Further, the author reviews a number of well done studies that show while there is some brain neuroplasticity most of the claims only show some slight improvement in functioning which might also be viewed rather as slowing down a decline in aging.  Throughout the article (view it online) the studies links are highlighted to take the reader to the original research.  This is a worthwhile article for any discussions of cognition, intelligence, problem solving, memory, and aging.

SOURCE

New York Times, Sunday Review, October 23, 2015, by Richard A. Friedman

Original source:  Brain Test Britain – About the brain training games

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/25/opinion/sunday/can-you-get-smarter.html?emc=eta1

Original Source:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/labuk/results/braintestbritain/4_brain_training_games.html

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•What is the normal course of cognitive developing in aging (>60)?
•In particular what systems show decline in a healthy population?
•What is brain neuroplasticity?
•The author highlights a number of studies:  what is the general conclusion regarding the various claims (foods, exercise, brain games) on the effects of cognition in the aging population?
•Examine the link to the original source above on brain training games.  Provide the students with the link or use the class computer to project the website.  What conclusions can the students draw about such brain training games?