Hockenbury Discovering Psychology 5th txtbk

82 CHAPTER 2 Neuroscience and BehaviorNow for the key finding of the study: Along with the humansubjects, a group of mice followed a comparable exercise program.In the mice, the exercise program resulted in increasedblood flow in the same hippocampus regions as the humans.However, the researchers were able to directly examine brainchanges in the mice. They found that the increased blood flowto the hippocampus in the mice was directly correlated to thebirth of new neurons in the same region of the hippocampus.Although neuroscientists tend to be cautious in drawing conclusions,the implication of Pereira’s study is obvious: Exercise promotesneurogenesis in the adult human brain just as it does inother mammals. A footnote: The participants in Pereira’s studyalso improved their scores on several tests of mental abilities.Neuroscientists have also amassed an impressive array of correlationalevidence showing the human benefits from enriched,stimulating environments. For example, several studies havecompared symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in elderly individualswith different levels of education (Bennett & others, 2003; Stern& others, 1992, 1994). Autopsies showed that the more educatedindividuals had just as much damage to their brain cellsas did the poorly educated individuals. However, because thebetter-educated people had more synaptic connections, theirsymptoms were much less severe than those experienced by theless educated people (Melton, 2005).The results of this study echo earlier research on intellectualenrichment: A mentally stimulating, intellectually challengingenvironment is associated with enhanced cognitive functioning.Just as physical activity strengthens the heart and muscles, mentalactivity strengthens the brain. Even in late adulthood, remainingmentally and physically active can help prevent or lessen mentaldecline (Hillman & others, 2008; Kramer & Erickson, 2007).Pumping Neurons: Exercising Your BrainSo, here’s the critical question: Are you a mental athlete—or acerebral couch potato? Whatever your age, there seems to be asimple prescription for keeping your brain fit. Along with regularphysical activity, engaging in any kind of intellectuallychallenging pursuits will keep those dendrites developing.Enrichment need not involve exotic or expensive pursuits. Noveltyand complexity can be as close as your college campus orlibrary. Here are just a few suggestions:• Don’t hide in your room or apartment—seek out social interaction(except when it interferes with studying). Remember,the brain thrives on social stimulation.Cranial Calisthenics? Brain training is available in many formstoday. These British women are trying out Nintendo’s BrainAge game, a video game that claims to enhance the agingbrain (Fuyuno, 2006). Web sites offer a slew of games, puzzles,and quizzes that promise to provide a mental workout.Whether such cranial calisthenics offer lasting results is yetunproven. However, research suggests that staying mentallyactive can help keep the aging brain healthy and alert,especially if mental workouts are accompanied by physicalones (Willis & others, 2006).• Learn to play a musical instrument. If you can’t afford musiclessons, join a singing group or choir. If you already play amusical instrument, experiment with a new style or musicalgenre.• Take a class in a field outside your college major or in a newarea. Experiment by learning something in a field completelynew to you.• Read, and read widely. Buy magazines or check out librarybooks in fields that are new to you.• Try puzzles of all kinds—word, number, maze, or matching.• Get regular aerobic exercise, even if it’s no more than abrisk daily walk. If possible, vary your routes and try tonotice something new about your surroundings on eachwalk.• Unplug your television set for two weeks—or longer.Better yet, take a few minutes and generate your own list ofmind-expanding opportunities!