11 September 2006: An active brain 'helps fight dementia'
People should take greater steps to keep their minds active instead of just focusing on their physical health, experts said today.
At the start of National Brain Fitness Week, researchers said those in their 70s who took up crosswords could help ward off dementia.
Research has shown that dancing, playing musical instruments, reading and playing board games can all help cut the risk of going senile.
Doing crosswords and learning a new language have also been shown to have a protective effect.
Dementia affects more than 750,000 people in the UK, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common form.
Cognitive neuroscientist Dr Sarah Blakemore, from University College London, said even older people should be encouraged to try something new.
She said: "Giving your mind a workout in the same way you would your body is easy and can include the simplest of exercises like mental arithmetic, logic puzzles - such as SuDoku - and crosswords.
"Research has shown that people who keep their minds active through reading, going to the theatre or doing crosswords, have a far less chance of developing dementia.
"You could start when you are 70 and that could, at least, have some effect.
"When you learn something new your brain changes. It's a bit of a myth to say you can't change the brain in older age."
Dr Blakemore also recommends physical exercise, eating "brain power" foods like oily fish, pecans, prunes, raisins, blueberries and strawberries, and getting lots of sleep.
Broadcaster, Chris Tarrant, who is backing the campaign, said: "It's amazing to think how many people treat their body like a temple while neglecting the most important organ of all - their brain.
"I think that keeping your mind sharp and active is just as important and the reason I am fully behind National Brain Fitness Week."
Nintendo, which is sponsoring the week, has sold more than five million copies of its three Nintendo DS brain training games since they launched in 2005.
From (mentalhealth.org.uk)