Is someone close to you aging rapidly and seeming less mentally sharp? Researchers at Columbia University have recently compiled evidence that late life changes in sensory experience (such as a decrease in frequency or intensity of sensory input) may have a direct effect on the brains of aging loved ones. These findings are based on a recent study in which researchers severed the whiskers of rats (which are generally used to sense information about the surrounding environment) and studied changes in the neural connections in the brains. Compared to rats in control groups, rats with severed whiskers exhibited decay in axon connections (the fibers in the brain necessary for passing along electrical signals from one neuron to the next. These effects were generally more evident in rats that were considered relatively old, and were evident throughout the lifespan. Findings like this indicate that a significant and healthy amount of sensory input for the elderly may prevent negative changes in brain performance. For a dramatic example of the positive effects of sensory input in the elderly, take a look at this video highlighting the positive effects of listening to music on people of advanced age:
For more info on the study outlined above, check out a detailed article on Science Daily at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120524123209.htm
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