University Public Lecture – has more than half a mind on your future health – University of Reading
28 October 2008On 4 November, Professor John Harris will present the next fascinating University of Reading Public Lecture, The ageing brain - is brain training worthwhile?
As we get older, the obvious external changes to our bodies are accompanied by more subtle changes to our brains, changes which may be so gradual that we do not notice their effects at first.
In what is the 2nd in a series of six lectures Professor Harris, from the University's School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, asks whether 'brain training' is worthwhile, and can physical exercise help the ageing brain as well as the ageing body?
Professor Harris said: "It gets harder to hear faint sounds, or to see tiny details. We become slower at reacting to things, and it becomes more difficult to do two things at once. Remembering names and faces becomes tricky.
"Some illnesses seem to exaggerate the effects of ageing," he said. "In Alzheimer's disease, memory is usually profoundly affected. We know that people with Parkinson's disease may have problems with concentration which can cause problems with their walking. Can anything be done about this? Just as regular exercise can postpone some of the physical effects of ageing, can 'mental exercise' postpone some of the cognitive effects? Can research suggest ways to reduce the negative effects of ageing on our brains?"
"As one of the major providers of education in the Thames Valley, we are very keen to hold these kinds of public lectures," said Carol Derham, organiser of the Public Lecture Series. "The lectures are given by researchers eminent in their field and in a manner that is easily understood by all. They offer a unique opportunity to learn about the cutting-edge research, teaching and people that make the University a world-class institute.
"The lectures are always incredibly popular with all sorts of different people, and always lead to some lively debate afterwards."
All of the University Public Lectures start at 8pm and will be held in the Palmer Building on the University's Whiteknights campus. Lectures are free to attend and no ticket is required.
For further information, please contact Carol Derham in the University's Communications Office on 0118 378 8004 or email c.a.derham@reading.ac.uk
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