Think

Your brain is your most powerful organ, and has three main parts:
- Cerebrum: takes up the most space and is involved in remembering, problem solving, thinking, feeling, and controlling movement.
- Cerebellum: near the back of the head and is responsible for coordination and balance.
- Brain stem: connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls functions such as breathing, digestion, heart rate, and blood pressure.
With each heartbeat, blood is carried to the brain for use by the brain cells.
An adult brain contains about 100 billion nerve cells, with branches that connect at more than 100 trillion points.
Signals traveling through the network form the basis of memories, thoughts, and feelings.
Memories and thoughts move through an individual nerve cell as a tiny electrical charge.
Nerve cells connect to one another at synapses.
When a charge reaches a synapse, it may trigger the release of tiny bursts of chemicals called neurotransmitters.
The neurotransmitters travel across the synapse, carrying signals to other cells.

It’s all in our genes
- A big component of our lifelong brain health and development depends on what we do with our brains
Expensive computer programs are required to improve our brains
- Every time we learn a new skill, concept or fact, we change our brains
Brain exercise is only for seniors
- People of all ages can benefit from regular brain exercises

Individuals who lead mentally stimulating lives, through education, occupation and leisure activities, have reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s
- Studies suggest 35-40% lower risk (Cognitive Reserve and Alzheimer’s Disease: Sern, Y.)
Brain can change, at any age
- Age-related cognitive decline typically starts at about 40
- Significant percentages of participants age 65 and older who trained for five weeks improved their memory, reasoning and information-processing speed – American Medical Association

They were more mentally active
They were more physically active
They maintained a sense of effectiveness in the world
- They felt like they were contributing to the family and the world
- They generally felt good about themselves