Posted: Feb 14, 2011 1:04 am
Steven Novella discusses that Nature article here: More Trouble for Brain Training. As far as I'm aware, there has never been a study to demonstrate that things like sudoku, or those other programs, have any effect at all on cognitive functions. The logic usually works backwards - they find that people who are interested in things like crossword puzzles at age 80 tend to have better cognitive abilities compared to their peers that aren't interested in crossword puzzles. The problem is that the direction of causation is backwards; that is, it appears as if they enjoy crosswords because they have better cognitive abilities.
I agree with good diet and sleep, and whilst socialising would presumably help, I'm not aware of any research for or against it. However, the idea that exercise improves intelligence is not well accepted at all - there have been a few mice studies which suggest it can help, but as we move closer to human correlates (like rats), we find that not only does exercise have no effect on intelligence but there is a minor trend suggesting it might decrease intelligence.
The observational studies in this area usually suffer from the same problems as the crossword example I discussed above, but this article (linked to in your wikipedia article) suggests that there might be an effect - given the studies they examined, however, it appears as if the increase in cognitive abilities was the result of shifting from a sedentary lifestyle, to an intellectually stimulating one i.e. the article has nothing to do with increasing intelligence or cognitive functions, it's more about reversing deficiencies. In other words, it's like finding that a dehydrating athlete performs better after drinking some water, and trying to conclude that giving water to well hydrated people will make them run faster. And like the studies on exercise and depression, I think we'll find that the cause for any improvement here is not the exercise itself (as there's no plausible mechanism that is accepted to alter brain function as a result of exercise), and instead the effect is entirely a product of having new experiences and meeting new people.
Ben Goldacre discusses the research behind omega-3 and intelligence here (Fish oil in the Observer: the return of a $2bn friend), where the current scientific consensus is that there is absolutely no effect at all.
I haven't heard of blueberries or Bacopa Monnieri having any real world effects on cognitive functions, so I don't know much about them..
CdesignProponentsist wrote:Diet, exercise, proper sleep, and socializing. And quit smoking cigarettes if you smoke now.
Fish Oil supplements or lots of omega-3. Lots of Berries especially blueberries. I also take Bacopa Monnieri, it has gone through clinical studies and has show to have a beneficial effect on memory and mental health without any observed toxicity or side effects.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excersize#Effects_on_brain_function
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_and_learning
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_and_Memory
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_oil#Mental_health
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blueberries#Research_on_the_potential_anti-disease_effects_of_blueberries
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacopa_monnieri#Medicine
I agree with good diet and sleep, and whilst socialising would presumably help, I'm not aware of any research for or against it. However, the idea that exercise improves intelligence is not well accepted at all - there have been a few mice studies which suggest it can help, but as we move closer to human correlates (like rats), we find that not only does exercise have no effect on intelligence but there is a minor trend suggesting it might decrease intelligence.
The observational studies in this area usually suffer from the same problems as the crossword example I discussed above, but this article (linked to in your wikipedia article) suggests that there might be an effect - given the studies they examined, however, it appears as if the increase in cognitive abilities was the result of shifting from a sedentary lifestyle, to an intellectually stimulating one i.e. the article has nothing to do with increasing intelligence or cognitive functions, it's more about reversing deficiencies. In other words, it's like finding that a dehydrating athlete performs better after drinking some water, and trying to conclude that giving water to well hydrated people will make them run faster. And like the studies on exercise and depression, I think we'll find that the cause for any improvement here is not the exercise itself (as there's no plausible mechanism that is accepted to alter brain function as a result of exercise), and instead the effect is entirely a product of having new experiences and meeting new people.
Ben Goldacre discusses the research behind omega-3 and intelligence here (Fish oil in the Observer: the return of a $2bn friend), where the current scientific consensus is that there is absolutely no effect at all.
I haven't heard of blueberries or Bacopa Monnieri having any real world effects on cognitive functions, so I don't know much about them..