Wednesday
was the third day of Brain Awareness Week (BAW), a global campaign
to increase public awareness about the progress and benefits of brain research. As part of the week-long
celebration, the Dana Foundation joined forces with New York University and
AARP to host a free Staying Sharp session and brain fair on March
13th at the NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. The event
featured an expert panel discussion and Q&A on the aging brain, memory, and
brain health issues. This particular panel consisted of three NYU clinicians from
the Pearl I. Barlow Center for Memory Evaluation and Treatment who work with elderly patients on
health issues including dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.
The
event started off with an eight minute workout from a certified personal
fitness trainer, which helped the audience loosen up and interact. We all gave
each other knowing smiles as familiar songs, such as the theme to “Rocky,”
prompted us to punch the air in rhythm.
After
our warm up, we settled into our seats to hear what the experts had to say
about the aging brain. In a brief description of brain function, we learned
that by the time you are 65, you’ve already started to experience slight brain
changes. The changes, the panelist explained, could lead to mood changes,
depression, and other forms of cognitive change. Below are some highlights from
the session, including information about the aging brain:
