Can the brain heal and preserve itself—or even improve its functioning—as we get older? For some time, many scientists have tended to think of our brains as machines, most commonly as computers, destined to break down over time under the strain of age and use. In recent years, however, research in neuroscience has begun to show the inadequacy of this metaphor for describing the physiology of the brain. It turns out that our brains, like our bodies in general, are far more likely to waste away from underuse than to wear down from overuse.
As people reach middle age, exercising the brain and the body to which it is attached—keeping both active—becomes more important. It is one of the few reliable ways to offset the natural wasting process and the damaging influence of our unnaturally sedentary modern lives. It also points to new possi...
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February 9, 2015 7:16 PM
I find "cross-training" to be helpful, e.g., painting and music, managing money and creative writing. They seem to stimulate each other.
February 9, 2015 7:16 PM
7 years ago, my wife had the good fortune of reading Doidge's "The Brain that Changes Itself" right after my massive stroke (the result of a spontaneous bilateral carotid artery dissection). With very little information regarding recovery found elsewhere, she used the hope and information from that book to chart our own course. Walking, talking, exercising, imagining, laughing--all have been part of our efforts.I have recovered far beyond what was predicted for me and we continue to work on getting more. I am happy to have this opportunity to say thank you Dr Doidge.
February 9, 2015 7:16 PM
It can never hurt to eat right and to exercise regardless of your view of this article. There are just so many variables to deal with when you consider our brain. The harder we work on understanding the brain and the deeper we go in drawing our conclusions we face criticism from those who are slower to accept these studies with complex variables. Progress is slow but our attitude should embrace the efforts because over the long term we have significantly improved mortality and hopefully the quality of life for humans....and even our pets that are part of the family.
February 9, 2015 7:16 PM
The human (mind, brain) has a natural instinct to grow by creating. Business entrepreneurship is one way the mind expands itself. People go into business as much to expand their mental horizons as to acquire wealth. People in Communist societies are impoverished in spirit as well as wealth when the right to start one's own business is curtailed.The academic professions of science, literature, etc. are other ways the brain strives to expand its horizons. Even sports and physical activities require a lot of mental effort.People who are otherwise healthy began to wither away when they lock themselves into a state of mental idleness. The body can't be healthy unless the mind is exercising itself by taking in new concepts and thinking up ways to perfect the old ones.
February 9, 2015 7:15 PM
I find this article extremely interesting given the new treatments that are being used to help NFL and NHL players dealing with post concussion syndrome. The old "sit and rest" mentality is finally being pushed to the side and "functional neurology", though still dismissed by many, has become more of the norm. A high profile case of this would be Sidney Crosby's post concussion issues that left him out for the better part of two NHL seasons. Not until he went and saw Dr. Ted Carrick at Life University did he start to see meaningful improvements, all due to this concept of neuroplasticity. I definitely think we are on to something here and I look forward to seeing how this story develops for the treatment of different types of brain related injuries and diseases.
February 9, 2015 7:15 PM
Excellent information and very relevant
February 9, 2015 7:14 PM
Thank you! As a Physical Therapist I have treated many of the diagnosis mentioned. I will tell you that exercise is the single most potent medicine for many conditions and as this article so eloquently explains is a form of prevention of many diseases that affect brain function. Neural plasticity is a real phenomenon and the evidence for this will continue to grow. Movement in all forms has a powerful connection to our brain function and produces profound changes in how we think, move and recover from insult or injury. "FInd a way to fit daily exercise in your life" is the best advice any health care provider can give.
February 9, 2015 7:14 PM
Neil Young famously said, "its better to burnout than to rust." Now, science is catching up to Neil Young? Sad, very sad. They could have spent $9.95 on the album and saved $500,000 in student loans.
February 9, 2015 7:14 PM
The Brain is the smartest part of the body. But, wait. Look who's telling us that?
February 9, 2015 7:13 PM
And eat more fruits and veggies and less (but don't eliminate) beef.And do something mentally that demands performance.
February 9, 2015 7:13 PM
I'm thrilled to see more exposure for these important ideas!Dr. Doidge's latest book includes a lengthy description of the Feldenkrais Method® which uses movements (not exercise) to enhance the brain's function. Anyone can do the lessons and they are fascinating in a unique way - much more fun than any other so-called "brain training" I know of. Plus, people end up with better balance, decreased pain - so many benefits that make clear the mind-body connection.These fundamental tools are at our disposal - it's time to get the word out and I'm grateful Dr. Doidge is doing just that.Full disclosure: I teach the Feldenkrais Method®.
February 9, 2015 7:13 PM
I'm really glad to see this essay published. The subject matter has been one of my passions for quite some time.For more background on neuroplasticity read "The Mind and the Brain" (Schwartz / Begley).This shows the value a fairly simple health habits and making the effort every day.
February 9, 2015 7:13 PM
Interesting read on a region of our body we still don't know enough about. Perhaps a better word in the title of the article should have been "elasticity" as opposed to "plastic."
February 9, 2015 7:13 PM
It might be different if I hadn't been reading this kind of hype forever. But Oh,this time it's for real. The real guys with brains will not buy the latest fad. For me its moderation in all things.Some of this may be helpful ,but will it stand the test of time? Or is get out your wallet first and ask questions later. We oldsters understand time and should act like it.
February 9, 2015 7:13 PM
A big THANK YOU to the WSJ for writing articles like this; it is definitely thought provoking and relevant to the human condition.
February 9, 2015 7:12 PM
If thoughts of sex counted, I'd have enough cognitive reserve to last for centuries assuming my body kept pace.
February 9, 2015 7:12 PM
Orton Gillingham does the same thing for children's brains...
February 9, 2015 7:11 PM
Now that I'm on the back nine, I find these activities most conducive to mental fitness:- sleep 8+ hours a night- work up a vigorous sweat at least 4 times a week- keep up with a second language- drink coffee in moderation
February 9, 2015 7:11 PM
God created this amazing brain!
February 9, 2015 7:11 PM
There are several things that our brains are useful for as we get older. I forget what they are.
February 9, 2015 7:11 PM
Idle bodies, idle minds. Isn't that what they used to say?