They know stuff.
Posted on 01/20/2014 2:51:32 PM PST by Sir Napsalot
The brains of older people only appear to slow down because they have so much information to compute, much like a full-up hard drive, scientists believe.
Older people do not decline mentally with age, it just takes them longer to recall facts because they have more information in their brains, scientists believe.
Much like a computer struggles as the hard drive gets full up, so to (sic) do humans take longer to access information, it has been suggested.
Researchers say this slowing down it is not the same as cognitive decline.
“The human brain works slower in old age,” said Dr. Michael Ramscar, “but only because we have stored more information over time
“The brains of older people do not get weak. On the contrary, they simply know more.”
A team at Tübingen University in Germany programmed a computer to read a certain amount each day and learn new words and commands.
When the researchers let a computer “read” only so much, its performance on cognitive tests resembled that of a young adult.
But if the same computer was exposed to the experiences we might encounter over a lifetime – with reading simulated over decades – its performance now looked like that of an older adult.
Often it was slower, but not because its processing capacity had declined. Rather, increased “experience” had caused the computer’s database to grow, giving it more data to process – which takes time.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
I didn't give up my wire line when I got a cellphone because I need to call the one phone with the other phone to find out where I left it. :-)
Mine too. I'm ummmm...not young. But I have a tenacious memory, even if it sometimes takes a day or two to access particular information. I've actually gotten into the habit of saying "Wait a while, it'll come to me" when I forget a name or something. And 99% of the time it does, but not in time for that particular conversation, unfortunately.
Oh, don’t remind me. THat was so sad. I loved Perot, but...
One can be born with extraordinary intelligence, but wisdom will trump the day everytime. It takes a lifetime to accumulate wisdom.Many things I have selectively eliminated from my memory, but I’m still sharp, sometimes wisdom overwhelms me. The Chinese recently flying a hypersonic missile is very disturbing to me. As an Aerospace designer, we spent 20 plus years developing this technology, Who has handed this tech to the Chinese on a silver platter. There needs to be hangings, tar, and feather again in this country, The republic is being sold out on a daily basis.
In my experience, that's probably a "man" thing. It has something to do with never really wanting to do that job, or most housework jobs, in the first place. Many men have that stuff down to a science. And some women, too!
Thanks for the ping. It is true that a larger database takes longer to search.
God bless and keep you, sweet Bernard Marx!!
I'm not young either, so I relate to everything you wrote. We have the information stored; it's just taking a little longer to access it because we're no longer accessing our stored information on a daily basis the way we were prior to retirement.
Free Republic keeps our political brain power updated and running on steroids, (so to speak). I rarely have trouble remembering political names, election year dates or historical happenings, because I'm here on a daily basis, keeping abreast of the news.
ditto
I got my CDL 2 years ago at age 70...now I drive gas tankers....and can haul hose with the best of the young ones.
“That was a great episode”
They were all great! I can’t think of a bad one! Remember the BBQ with Marci’s mother’s ashes? I just about split my gut!
“I got my CDL 2 years ago at age 70...now I drive gas tankers....and can haul hose with the best of the young ones.”
Good for you!
I should be really smart in a few more week at the rate I am currently dumping things I know.
Yeah, that’s right. I know to much!
It does the important things, the things that the 10% can neither comprehend nor conceive.
But the brain is very adaptable. There have been many cases when people with injuries to parts of their brain have had their brains, in effect, "reorganize", with different areas taking control of the functions the previous parts did.
My solution: White pants!!
For the last 20 years, I have worn white cotton pants every day in lieu of blue jeans or whatever. I have at least 20 pair. I write lists, notes etc on my white pants. Works like a dream.
Note: Buy Clorox
Research shows nerve stimulation can reorganize brain
(Medical Xpress) — UT Dallas researchers recently demonstrated how nerve stimulation paired with specific experiences, such as movements or sounds, can reorganize the brain. This technology could lead to new treatments for stroke, tinnitus, autism and other disorders. ...”
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-07-nerve-brain.html
_________________________________
Brain’s Ability to Reorganize Itself
Author: University of Michigan Health System
Subject Category: The Human Brain
Published: Mar 18, 2011 (Revised: Mar 18, 2011)
Abstract: Isolating the mechanisms by which the brain compensates for disruptions and reroutes neural functioning. ...”
http://www.disabled-world.com/health/neurology/brain/reorganize.php
_________________________________
Researchers gain new insight into the brain’s ability to reorganize itself
After disruption, mouse brains shift key functions associated with learning and memory, U-M study finds ...”
http://www.uofmhealth.org/News/brain_neurology_0318
_________________________________
“Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to reorganize itself. It is defined as the brain’s ability to recognize itself by forming brand new neural connections. What happens is essentially that neurons (also known as nerve cells) compensate for any trauma or disease that has happened and make adjustments in their activity in order to adapt to environmental changes.
The reorganization that happens is made possible by various mechanisms; for instance, axonal sprouting involves undamaged axons that grow nerve endings in order to connect neurons that were formerly separated. These axons can also connect with other undamaged neurons in order to form new pathways for a function. ...”
http://ezinearticles.com/?What-is-Neuroplasticity?&id=3006496
_________________________________
New Insight Into the Brain’s Ability to Reorganize Itself
Geoffrey Murphy, an associate professor of molecular and integrative physiology at the University of Michigan Medical School: plasticity refers to the brain’s ability to change as we learn. ...”
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110318091014.htm
_________________________________
When was son was eight he was talking about something and I asked how he remembered so much and told him I couldn’t remember as much as he did. He said it was because I was old and my brain was full and he was young and his wasn’t full yet. LOL I guess he was right!
5.56mm
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
