| Copyright (c) 2008 SharpBrains | | | | everyone and everything. We prefer to talk |
| | | | about several pillars of brain health, and |
| Dr. Arthur Kramer is a Professor in the | | | | different priorities for different |
| University of Illinois Department of | | | | individuals. Can you elaborate on what |
| Psychology, the Campus Neuroscience Program, | | | | interventions seem to have a positive effect |
| the Beckman Institute, and the Director of | | | | on specific cognitive abilities and |
| the Biomedical Imaging Center at the | | | | individuals? |
| University of Illinois. | | | | |
| | | | DK: Perhaps one day we will be able to |
| I am honored to interview him today about | | | | recommend specific interventions for |
| recent brain research findings focused on how | | | | individuals based on genetic testing, for |
| to maintain a healthy, strong brain. | | | | example, but we don't have a clue today. We |
| | | | are only beginning to understand how the |
| Alvaro Fernandez (AF): Dr. Kramer, thank you | | | | environment interacts with our genome. |
| for your time. Let's start by trying to | | | | |
| clarify some existing misconceptions and | | | | But I agree on the premise that there |
| controversies. Based on what we know today, | | | | probably won't be a general solution that |
| and your recent Nature piece (Note: | | | | solves all cognitive problems, but we need a |
| referenced below), what are the 2-3 key | | | | multitude of approaches. And we can't forget, |
| lifestyle habits would you suggest to a | | | | for example, the cognitive benefits from |
| person who wants to delay Alzheimer's | | | | smoking cessation, sleep, pharmacological |
| symptoms and improve overall brain health? | | | | interventions, nutrition, social engagement. |
| | | | |
| Dr. Kramer (DK): First, Be Active. Do | | | | Physical exercise tends to have rather broad |
| physical exercise. Aerobic exercise, 30 to 60 | | | | effects on different forms of perception and |
| minutes per day 3 days per week, has been | | | | cognition, as seen in the Colcombe and |
| shown to have an impact in a variety of | | | | Kramer, 2003, meta-analysis published in |
| experiments. And you don't need to do | | | | Psychological Science (Note: referenced |
| something strenuous: even walking has shown | | | | below). |
| that effect. There are many open questions in | | | | |
| terms of specific types of exercise, | | | | Cognitive training also works for a multitude |
| duration, magnitude of effect...but, as we | | | | of perceptual and cognitive domains - but has |
| wrote in our recent Nature Reviews | | | | shown little transfer beyond trained tasks. |
| Neuroscience article, there is little doubt | | | | |
| that leading a sedentary life is bad for our | | | | No single type of intervention is sufficient. |
| cognitive health. Cardiovascular exercise | | | | Today there is no clear research on how those |
| seems to have a positive effect. | | | | different lifestyle factors may interact. The |
| | | | National Institute on Aging is starting to |
| Second, Maintain Lifelong Intellectual | | | | sponsor research to address precisely that. |
| Engagement. There is abundant prospective | | | | |
| observational research showing that doing | | | | AF: To wrap up, what's in your mind the best |
| more mentally stimulating activities reduces | | | | way to explain the relative benefits of |
| the risk of developing Alzheimer's symptoms. | | | | physical vs. cognitive exercise? From a |
| | | | fundamental point of view, it seems clear |
| Let me add, given all media hype, that no | | | | that physical exercise can help enhance |
| "brain game" in particular has been shown to | | | | neurogenesis (Note: the creation of new |
| have a long-term impact on Alzheimer's or the | | | | neurons), yet learning/ cognitive exercise |
| maintenance of cognition across extended | | | | contributes to the survival of those neurons |
| periods of time. It is too early for that-and | | | | by strengthening synapses, so I see more how |
| consumers should be aware of that fact. It is | | | | those two "pillars" are complimentary than |
| true that some companies are being more | | | | "one or the other". |
| science-based than others but, in my view, | | | | |
| the consumer-oriented field is growing faster | | | | DK: I agree. Given what we know today I would |
| than the research is. | | | | recommend both intellectual engagement and |
| | | | physical exercise. However, we do know, from |
| Ideally, combine both physical and mental | | | | a multitude of animal studies, that physical |
| stimulation along with social interactions. | | | | exercise has a multitude of effects on brains |
| Why not take a good walk with friends to | | | | beyond neurogenesis, including increases in |
| discuss a book? We lead very busy lives, so | | | | various neurotransmitters, nerve grown |
| the more integrated and interesting | | | | factors, and angiogenesis (the formation of |
| activities are, the more likely we will do | | | | new blood vessels). |
| them. | | | | |
| | | | AF: Dr. Kramer, many thanks for your time. |
| AF: Great concept: a walking book club! Now, | | | | |
| part of the confusion we observe is due to | | | | DK: You are welcome. |
| the search of "magic solutions" that work for | | | | |