Editor
Editorial
Everyone ages, and with age, memory is hampered. Yet, some people stay sharper than others, despite the ravages of age.
Alzheimer's disease is not the only cause of memory decline – there is also normal wear, associated with growing old. But such decline affects different people differently.
Scientists are curious to find out how some people cope better than others, as the answer could be relevant to future generations expected to live longer, owing to improved medical care facilities.
Physical exercise tops the list of possible antidotes, as it benefits the brain as much as it does the body.
Drugs that insure brain networks are better linked and games to train the brain are among other possibilities.
Is a periodic memory lapse symbolic of aging or the coming of Alzheimer's? That science is yet to find an answer to this question is likely to disturb older people. Yet, there are discernible differences between the two.
Alzheimer's kills brain cells. While brain cells don't die on account of normal aging, bushy brain networks can thin down to mere twigs,thereby affecting connection between cells, adversely. This, in turn,makes it harder to send messages.
That's the reason why, although you know somebody's name, you are not able to remember it instantly.
There should be no cause for worry for Sudoku players, though. If Sudoku works as an antidote for Alzheimer's, it should also work to delay normal aging.
Editor