Memory in Normal Aging

News reports related to Aging Deficits

Many of the cognitive deficits associated with advancing age are related to functions of the prefrontal cortex such as working memory, decision-making, planning, and judgment. Postmortem examination of 20 brains ranging in age from 25 to 83 years, confirm that prefrontal regions may be particularly sensitive to the effects of aging. It also appears that white matter decreases at a faster rate than grey matter with age.
The findings were presented to the annual Society for Neuroscience meeting in San Diego, US. August 2001

Studies of more than 350 men and women between the ages of 20 and 90 have found that cognitive decline starts as early as the twenties, and this decline in cognitive processing power appears to be constant - that is, the rate of decline is the same when you are in your twenties as when you are in your sixties. However, young adults do not notice this decline because the loss has not yet become great enough to affect everyday activities.
Denise Park, who directs the Center for Aging and Cognition at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research (ISR) presented a paper on these studies on Aug. 24 in San Francisco at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association.
http://www.umich.edu/~newsinfo/Releases/2001/Aug01/r081301a.html

Certainly, it seems that, cognitive decline is less in those who engage more frequently in cognitively stimulating activities. Cognitive training programs are the perfect stimulation to prevent or reverse cognitive impairment in many seniors. The Seattle Longitudinal Studies of adult intelligence suggested that the observed decline in many community-dwelling older people is probably a function of disuse and is often reversible. It was found that some 2/3 of participants in a cognitive training program showed significant improvement, and 40% of those who had declined significantly were indeed returned to their earlier (pre-decline) level of cognitive functioning. These training gains were retained over seven years. We have the best of the cognitive training tools on the market available at our center as well as providing home versions if you prefer.

For additional reading click here (Training Improves Age-Related Memory Decline). This article tells you why our programs work. (You will need to Arrow back or page back to our site)

Nutritional supplements are available to protect your memory. Most commonly marketed ‘memory formulas’ demonstrate a lack of understanding of basic brain chemistry, and often end up only weakening the memory of the user rather than strengthening it. We have a nutritional supplement called Memorin. To find out more about it click here  (  Memorin )        

For auditory decline please consider The Listening Program.

For visual decline See Visual processing programs

For info related to brain plasticity and new brain research Click here. The brain can heal and be revitalized at any age.

Memory Builders
Sharpening your mind and memory

As the mind ages, it becomes more prone to attentional and memory difficulties. One may experience hyperactivity and symptoms of ADHD after the age of 50 even if you did not have those symptoms earlier in your life.

Memory building, neurofeedback and cognitive training can be very beneficial. Our programs have been specially chosen to meet the needs of all ages. The following chart contains information on how they can improve your everyday life.  

Lack of cognitive stimulation has been demonstrated to result in decreased cognitive abilities.  Daily practice on computer programs can provide sufficient stimulation to maintain cognitive abilities and keep the mind sharp.

Captains Log-Module 3: Conceptual Skills helps train basic reasoning, memory, and perceptual discrimination.

1.  Pattern Display Match helps to develop visual scanning and short-term memory of patterned stimuli. Client determines whether or not the patterns of dots on each of two “dominoes” displayed are the same.

2.  Numeric Skills focuses on visual scanning, short-term memory and counting ability in both a random and an orderly fashion. Requires client to count the number of stimuli that appear on the screen. The color, shape and arrangement of the stimuli depend on the level of difficulty selected.

3.  Size Discrimination enhances the understanding of the concept of relative size. Trains visual scanning abilities and immediate visual memory in a task that requires ranking the relative sizes of vertical bars.

4.  Symbolic Display Match develops sorting or categorizing ability and trains the capacity to shift from one sorting principle to another. The client matches two figures on the screen according to a sorting principle of color or shape, or color and shape combined.

5.  Trail Sequence A helps to develop the ability to remember verbally and spatiality ones position within a familiar sequence while visually scanning a random display and to move efficiently from one letter in the display to another.

6.  Trail Sequence B enhances flexibility in ones thought processes. This program develops the ability to remember ones position within an unfamiliar sequence while visually scanning a random display. One must rapidly shift sets or focus between two separate sequences.

7.  Conceptual Discrimination is designed to train abstract concepts based on visual pictures. Client discriminates and classifies objects based on shape, size, color, quantity and patterns. This program helps to teach rule making and the ability to shift cognitive sets.

Module 4: Numeric Concepts/Memory Skills trains basic mathematical concepts, memory, problem solving and organizational skills, and detailed reading comprehension.

1.  Numeric Discrimination fosters the understanding of the concepts FEWEST and MOST and knowing when it is necessary to count and when it is possible to judge by eye. Client must answer frequently changing questions and focus on salient information.

2.  Numeric Combinations aids in understanding the concept of SAME when applied to number (as opposed to pattern), and helps the client to understand categorizing and grouping. Trains the client to determine when it is preferable to attend to the total picture or only to its components.

3.  Number Line Logic helps in the comprehension of BOTH, developing the ability to use the ideas of sets and their conjunction, and to shift strategies as a problem grows more complex.

4.  Numeric Distinctions presents the concepts of CLOSEST and FARTHEST, and BIGGEST and SMALLEST. Client develops the ability to focus on salient information by solving simple problems based on pictures presenting two distinct types of quantities -- distance and value.

5.  Ordinal Numbers aids in the understanding of ordinal numbers, requires the client to make deductions from partial information and to follow several instructions in order. Colored stripes hide a set of three large block letters. One part of a letter is revealed each time the client correctly locates a stripe. Four possible answers to the puzzle are displayed at the bottom of the screen.

6.  Numeric Sequences requires the client to find the pattern in numeric sequences, to estimate and to shift strategies.

7.  Numeric Classification cultivates the ability to classify objects based on attributes of color, shape, or position, singly or in any combination.

8.      Numeric Dimensions encourages understanding of the concepts of TALLEST and SHORTEST, WIDEST and NARROWEST, MORE THAN and LESS THAN. Requires the client to address frequently-changing questions and to focus on salient information

Home version available through Incredible Horizons Home products Purchasing Info

EMAIL Russih2000@aol.com for leasing option

Brain Builder

See significant, lasting changes in auditory and visual sequential processing skills and short-term memory. Psychologists and educators call it "sequential processing." It's essential to every mental process, including every level of verbal communication. Better sequential processing enables us to take in more of what there is to see and hear. It determines how quickly and clearly we can grasp concepts with 3 or 5 or 7 components. And it determines how effectively we can express ourselves to others. If sequential processing capacity is limited, it's a little like not having enough RAM in your computer. Some things work just fine. Others work, but s-l-o-w-l-y, or more crudely. And certain things become impossible, resulting in frustration.

A tool for strengthening core mental capacities

Fast, simple, easy-to-use software helps you get powerful results in as little as 10 minutes per day. With Brain Builder, you play up to 7 different 2-3 minute activities every day. Brain Builder automatically sets and adjusts the level of difficulty to help you succeed and challenge you to improve, providing feedback every step of the way.

What kind of intelligence will the 21st Century require? The rate at which we need to process information in today's high-speed, information-packed, constantly changing competitive environment can be overwhelming. Making matters worse, many children and adults must work unusually hard to do normal tasks, due to processing inefficiencies

The principle behind Brain Builder is exercise. The more you exercise your brain's fundamental processing capacities, the stronger, more efficient and more organized they become. As the pathways of your neural network proliferate and deepen, so too will your ability to absorb and process information quickly and easily. 

The result is clearer, quicker thinking, less confusion and better communication. You'll have less need to reread information or hear it repeated, and faster, more accurate responses to real-life or academic problems. Naturally, this means less stress, higher self-esteem, and greater satisfaction and all-around success in life. 

Brain Builder's seven Neurodevelopmental exercises are tuned to the precise frequency, intensity, and duration that best stimulates higher brain function, opens the mind, and trains it to learn more effectively. 

There are three (3) visual activities, three (3) auditory activities, and one (1) intensity activity. The six core activities all involve seeing or hearing, and then recalling, a series of numbers. This skill is often measured by standardized tests, where it is called "digit span." 

In Brain Builder, digit span is not just tested, but exercised. There are six separate activities that, over time, have been shown to build sequential processing capacities in people at all levels. With regular use of Brain Builder, you can gradually increase the number or "span" of digits, or numbers, that you can store and retrieve. This increases your short-term memory capacity. 

By doing these exercises, you increase the number of pieces of information that you can take in sequentially, hold, process, and recall. Better memory is just the first level of benefit you will notice. Building digit span means increasing the number of abstractions you can keep in mind when understanding and processing language, and the ability to think sequentially in any life situation. If you can grasp the relationship of more factors that are interacting in a given situation you may be able to solve problems successfully that would otherwise be too complex to comprehend. 

APPLICATIONS

• For children and adults at home, school and the office.
• Increase short-term memory capacity
• Improve auditory and visual sequential processing 
• Raise cognitive processing speed 
• Develop visualization and conceptualization skills 
• Improve attention and concentration 
• Enhance listening, reading and self-expression 
• Increase mental efficiency and organization
• Increase confidence through reduced confusion   
• Enhance communication and social interactions
• Support growth in emotional intelligence

Special Note: Brain Builder is for adults and children as young as four (4) with guidance

  purchasing info

• Help increase oxygen and circulation to the Brain to enhance prompt and quick memory recall strategies
• Help protect the brain from free radical damage
• Help promote neural growth for smooth information processing, understanding and retrieval

Stop struggling with brain strain and upload the nutrition of Memorin+!

Please consider increasing your fish and or EFA's to maximize the benefits of this supplement.

For Purchasing Info

Other programs for sharpening the mind

For auditory decline please consider The Listening Program.

For visual decline consider Visual processing programs

For info related to brain plasticity and new brain research Click here. The brain can heal and be revitalized at any age.

These programs are offered as services at the center. For forms Click here