Brain Age Mythology Compared to What Really Improves Cognitive Health
> A number of people have been asking us lately about whether or not we all have a "Brain Age" and how we can lower our "brain ages". This idea is a myth, fueled by the (really fun) Nintendo game and a recent PBS campaign promoting a program produced by Posit Science. The idea of having a "brain age" is, itself, profoundly unscientific, regardless of the radio ads for the PBS program titled Brain Fitness Program, where listeners of all ages get the impression (as numerous pals and colleagues have reported) that, must they purchase the Posit Science Brain Fitness Program, they can expect their brains "rejuvenated" by 10 years. This, I hear usually, must be true, coming from PBS. Unfortunately, it is not. And it is not considering that the claim is founded on the similar faulty premise of getting a "brain age". What is going on? 1st, the beneficial news. Right now we know at this time that the brain retains lifelong plasticity (the c...