For a child, learning is almost effortless. By six years of age, children have a vocabulary of about 14,000 words and assimilate dozens of new words on a daily basis. In contrast, learning a new language as an adult can be a slow and laborious process. We're so familiar with this curious and dramatic difference between the child and the adult brain that we don't even question it. But once we understand the mechanism and reason for the difference we can use this knowledge to our advantage.
A child's brain produces large amounts of a protein known as BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). BDNF stimulates the brain's center of attention and memory formation. For children, the copious production of BDNF means that their brains are constantly ready to take in new information and form new brain structures.
In late adolescence the body produces a lot more BDNF, so much more that it turns off the brain's attention center. This shutting down effortless learning and constant attention is very important for our life as adults; we'd otherwise get overloaded and find it difficult to discriminate between long term goals and short term distractions.
Until recently, scientists believed the adult brain incapable of growth or change. Prevailing wisdom resigned us to a long, slow mental decline. But recent advancements in brain science have proven that this is far from true. Activities that demand attention reactivate the brain's attention center. And when we carry out mental tasks that produce a sense of accomplishment, we create conditions under which the brain can grow and change.
When we tackle novel and rewarding activities with intense focus, our brains begin grow new nerve cells and restructure themselves to adapt to the new stimulus. The key to effective brain training is to create conditions that require attention and reward that attention while strengthening core brain functions such as memory, processing speed, focus, and overall processing capacity (problem-solving ability).
The Three Building Blocks of Effective Brain Training
1. Focus
When we apply focus and attention the nucleus basalis releases a substance called acetylcholine. Acetylcholine tells the brain's memory center to pay attention so that we will hold on to the memories being formed.
2. Reward
Tackling a mental challenge that yields a sense of satisfaction or reward causes the brain to produce a second substance crucial to plastic change called dopamine.
3. Targeted Mental Exercise
Together these two brain chemicals stimulate the growth of new nerve cells, and produce conditions under which the brain can grow and change. If this mental condition is accompanied by an exercise that strengthens and improves core functions, we end up with lasting improvements in our mental ability.
Practical Applications of Brain Training
There are many activities that stimulate neural growth and help us stay mentally fit - studying a new language, tackling puzzles and brain teasers, learning a new skill - but while these are relevant and worthy pursuits, they're not as targeted and effective as a carefully designed and scientifically tested brain training exercise.
The right brain training software can strengthen core brain functions in a highly efficient, measurable and predictable way. This brings a slew of possibilities: Brain training is being used today for correcting learning dysfunctions, reversing the adverse effects of aging, helping to delay or prevent the onset of Alzheimer's symptoms or dementia, improving academic success, and for plain old self-improvement. Some training programs can even produce measurable increases in fluid intelligence or problem-solving ability - until recently believed to be impossible.
Although brain training is relatively new, there is no shortage of products on the market, and no guarantee that they will achieve the desired results. This presents us with the challenge of first identifying which product is right for us. They range in cost from less than fifty dollars to several hundred dollars, and the variance in efficacy is, if anything, even greater.
Before purchasing a brain training program, check the scientific pedigree of the training exercises it incorporates. Does the vendor spell out specifically what the training will accomplish, providing measurable gains in memory or processing ability? And does the product come with a training schedule, telling you how much time you should devote to the exercises and over what period you should train?
It's perhaps equally important to remember that brain training requires something from us, too. Plastic change can't be had without diligence and stamina. To use the analogy of physical fitness, we can't expect to increase our brain power without breaking a mental sweat. If we are willing to make the investment, however, the rewards will be well worth the effort. - 15437
A child's brain produces large amounts of a protein known as BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). BDNF stimulates the brain's center of attention and memory formation. For children, the copious production of BDNF means that their brains are constantly ready to take in new information and form new brain structures.
In late adolescence the body produces a lot more BDNF, so much more that it turns off the brain's attention center. This shutting down effortless learning and constant attention is very important for our life as adults; we'd otherwise get overloaded and find it difficult to discriminate between long term goals and short term distractions.
Until recently, scientists believed the adult brain incapable of growth or change. Prevailing wisdom resigned us to a long, slow mental decline. But recent advancements in brain science have proven that this is far from true. Activities that demand attention reactivate the brain's attention center. And when we carry out mental tasks that produce a sense of accomplishment, we create conditions under which the brain can grow and change.
When we tackle novel and rewarding activities with intense focus, our brains begin grow new nerve cells and restructure themselves to adapt to the new stimulus. The key to effective brain training is to create conditions that require attention and reward that attention while strengthening core brain functions such as memory, processing speed, focus, and overall processing capacity (problem-solving ability).
The Three Building Blocks of Effective Brain Training
1. Focus
When we apply focus and attention the nucleus basalis releases a substance called acetylcholine. Acetylcholine tells the brain's memory center to pay attention so that we will hold on to the memories being formed.
2. Reward
Tackling a mental challenge that yields a sense of satisfaction or reward causes the brain to produce a second substance crucial to plastic change called dopamine.
3. Targeted Mental Exercise
Together these two brain chemicals stimulate the growth of new nerve cells, and produce conditions under which the brain can grow and change. If this mental condition is accompanied by an exercise that strengthens and improves core functions, we end up with lasting improvements in our mental ability.
Practical Applications of Brain Training
There are many activities that stimulate neural growth and help us stay mentally fit - studying a new language, tackling puzzles and brain teasers, learning a new skill - but while these are relevant and worthy pursuits, they're not as targeted and effective as a carefully designed and scientifically tested brain training exercise.
The right brain training software can strengthen core brain functions in a highly efficient, measurable and predictable way. This brings a slew of possibilities: Brain training is being used today for correcting learning dysfunctions, reversing the adverse effects of aging, helping to delay or prevent the onset of Alzheimer's symptoms or dementia, improving academic success, and for plain old self-improvement. Some training programs can even produce measurable increases in fluid intelligence or problem-solving ability - until recently believed to be impossible.
Although brain training is relatively new, there is no shortage of products on the market, and no guarantee that they will achieve the desired results. This presents us with the challenge of first identifying which product is right for us. They range in cost from less than fifty dollars to several hundred dollars, and the variance in efficacy is, if anything, even greater.
Before purchasing a brain training program, check the scientific pedigree of the training exercises it incorporates. Does the vendor spell out specifically what the training will accomplish, providing measurable gains in memory or processing ability? And does the product come with a training schedule, telling you how much time you should devote to the exercises and over what period you should train?
It's perhaps equally important to remember that brain training requires something from us, too. Plastic change can't be had without diligence and stamina. To use the analogy of physical fitness, we can't expect to increase our brain power without breaking a mental sweat. If we are willing to make the investment, however, the rewards will be well worth the effort. - 15437
About the Author:
Oxford-trained scientist, author, and technologist, Martin G. Walker is a member of The British Neuroscience Association, Learning and The Brain, and MENSA. His company Mind Evolve Software publishes free information on the field of neuroscience and brain training as well as effective and affordable brain fitness software under the brand name Mind Sparke.
