Remarkable ways to preserve cognitive skills with age

Cognitive processes undergo rapid change in human lifecycle from infancy to old age. These are the core brain skills such as learning, perception and thought processes. Neuroscientists explored that different parts of the brain work best at different ages. Sizable research on psychometric measurement of intelligence in adulthood and old age has created fierce debate. Cognitive arena of psychology is basically a scientific study of mental processes.

Cognitive skills are elucidated as the mental abilities of persons which allow them to process all the information they receive from their five senses. These skills are required for a person to think, talk, learn, read, and Draw conclusions based on judgment and intuition and recall memories. When cognitive skills are weakened as in aging process, it can negatively impact on person's quality of life and pose challenges in life.

The speed of information processing is greatly impacted as we age. It has been documented in plethora of psychological researches that elderly people show cognitive decline as compared to younger people. These change occurs in the central nervous system where various mechanisms translate sensory input into responses.  But changes incidentally also occur.  It is observed that conduction rates in sensory and motor nerves decelerate with age.  Changes in storage and retrieval of information occur for all age groups. Recall, the searching and retrieving of factual information from storage, deteriorates over time. But recognition, the matching of stored information in the environment, changes slightly over time. Encoding, the process of preparing information for memory, takes more time and effort. This relates to sensory obstacles and creates a hindrance to initial processing.

Many scholars have opined that creative intellectual accomplishment in old age is not deteriorated and it is unusually easy to find colossal achievements enthused by very old brains.

It is well established that the human brain increases as it gets older in some functions. It is recognized that older adults may be at risk of developing neurodegenerative syndromes like Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related dementias. Presently there is no pharmaceutical treatment has been found to effectively prevent or delay the development of these neurological conditions. The only way to rescue oneself from griping these disorders or retain mental health is to quicken cognitive functions and change lifestyle.

Studies have shown that that long-term memory is not affected with age and a person’s vocabulary, emotional intelligence and social skills may get better. Short-term memory, learning skills and the ability to reason may weaken in aging process.

To keep brain healthy and retain cognitive skills, we must perform some activities.

We should regularly exercise. It is advised that exercise improves neuroplasticity that is the brain’s ability to grow new neural and blood flow pathways in response to stimulation and learning.

Another effectual way to enhance cognitive process of brain is to socialize our self. Most effectual activities recommended by psychologists is to engage in expressive communication. Withdrawing from social interaction may decline cognitive function and offer many irreversible mental syndromes. Researchers have appraised in bulk of studies that strong social networks helps to decelerate impacts of aging.

We can accelerate cognitive functions of our brain through engrossing in creative activities like playing video games, cracking brain puzzles. There is plentiful scientific evidence that active mind cab improve brain health. Embryonic researches have revealed that computer-based exercises augment brain function and enhance memory, information processing, reasoning, attention, and problem solving skills in greying population.

Additionally, some cognitive training programs offered by counsellors, psychologists and therapists which aimed at improving reasoning and problem solving, memory, and speed of processing to maintain cognitive skills or to delay or slow age-related cognitive deterioration.

To settle the debate, it is grasped that greying people are at high risks for cognitive decline. It threatens their independence and quality of life and poses challenges to the health care system.

Important: This article is developed through environmental information and personal view of writer. Writer is not responsible for any disagreement.