I saw a report of a study investigating the impact of learning a new skill on the brain. A large group of seniors (3,000 people ages 60 to 100) participated in the research which ultimately showed that the training led to significant changes in the brain.
The report I read indicated that the study, led by Professor Dilip Jeste of the University of California, San Diego, showed from its results that people of all ages can still become sharper and develop new mental and coordination skills.
“Probably the most exciting breakthrough in the last decade has been the finding that neuroplasticity, the ability to generate neurons and synapses, continues throughout an individual’s life,” said Jeste.
Unfortunately, the report was a little skimpy on details of Dr. Jeste’s approach to measuring changes and the protocol used for the exercise. I’ve written to Dr. Jeste asking him whether he can share some details with us.
Professor Jeste’s findings were presented at the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ International Congress in Edinburgh.
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