For children, learning happens effortlessly. By six years of age, children know over ten thousand words and learn dozens of new words on a daily basis. By contrast, learning a new language as an adult can be hard going. This curious and dramatic difference between the child and the adult brain is so familiar that we don’t even question it. But the mechanism and reason for the difference provides a powerful way for us to increase our adult mental abilities.

A child’s brain produces large amounts of a protein known as BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). BDNF causes the brain’s center of attention and memory formation to remain “on” — a child’s brain is always ready to take in new information and form new brain structures.

In our late teens our bodies begin to produce a lot more BDNF, a trigger that shuts down the brain’s attention center. While it may seem odd that our bodies put an end to effortless learning, from an evolutionary perspective it makes good sense; as adults we need to discriminate between choices, stay focused, and avoid unproductive distractions.

Until recently, scientists thought that the adult brain was incapable of growth or change, and that we were resigned to a long, slow mental decline. But recent advancements in brain science have proven that this is far from true. Activities that demand attention reactivate the brain’s attention center. And when we carry out mental tasks that produce a sense of accomplishment, we create conditions under which the brain can grow and change.

These are the goals of a good brain training program. Intense focus and challenge on a task that strengthens core brain functions. Our brains begin grow new nerve cells and restructure themselves to adapt to the new stimulus.

The Three Building Blocks of Effective Brain Training

1. Focus

When we apply focus and attention the nucleus basalis releases a substance called acetylcholine. Acetylcholine tells the brain’s memory center to pay attention so that we will hold on to the memories being formed.

2. Mental Challenge

Mental challenge and reward stimulate the production of another brain chemical – dopamine – which in turn is critical for plastic change.

3. Exercise of Core Brain Functions

Acetylcholine and dopamine together stimulate new cell growth (neurogenesis), creating the right conditions for change in the brain’s function and structure (neuroplasticity). By simultaneously training core cognitive functions the cell growth and plastic change strengthen and improve those core functions.

Brain Training In Everyday Life

There are many activities that stimulate neural growth and help us stay mentally fit – studying a new language, tackling puzzles and brain teasers, learning a new skill – but while these are relevant and worthy pursuits, they’re not as targeted and effective as a carefully designed and scientifically tested brain training exercise.

Brain training aims to produce reliable and measurable changes in brain function: Learning specialists have begun using targeted training to address and even eradicate learning disabilities; Adults in their forties, fifties and beyond now use brain training programs to help reduce or prevent memory loss as well as delay or prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms or dementia; An increasing number of school systems employ brain training so that children will learn more effectively; And across the world individuals are beginning to seize on the advantages for self-improvement promised by programs that can even increase our problem-solving ability.

It’s still so new that the brain training industry inevitably churns out some programs that are at best only moderately effective, and at worst pretty near useless. On the other hand, the better brain training programs are founded on excellent science and produce reliable results.

Fortunately, a little due diligence on this front will pay dividends. First, check the scientific basis for the training exercises. It’s a bad sign if the marketing material describes the science and benefits of the program in vague or general terms without spelling out what the training is designed to accomplish, and what specifically to expect in terms of improvement. And the vendor should tell you for how long and with what duration you should be training to achieve those gains.

Lastly, it’s important to remain aware that even the best brain training program requires our focus and diligence – those essential elements of brain plasticity. As with physical exercise, we can’t improve if we don’t exert ourselves. But the rewards if we do so will be well worth it.

Oxford-trained scientist, author, and technologist, Martin G. Walker is a member of The British Neuroscience Association, Learning and The Brain, and MENSA. His company Mind Sparke publishes free information on the field of neuroscience and brain training as well as effective and affordable brain fitness software.

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