As the baby boom generation enters retirement age, a researcher at the University of Northern British Columbia is working to help northerners maintain as much mental agility as possible as they grow older. UNBC Psychology professor William Tippett is publishing his new book Building an Ageless Mind to help residents of Northern and rural BC “exercise” their minds, and learn what scientists know about the brain and the research behind good brain health.

“There is the basic research behind each area of your brain, how it works, what it does, and subsequently, new research that tells us what we can do to keep it functioning as best as possible,” says Dr. Tippett, who conducted much of the research in Prince George, teaching brain dexterity methods to Alzheimer’s and stroke patients. He has conducted clinical trials on cognitively impaired individuals both at UNBC and on-site at the University Hospital of Northern BC since 2009.

“Rural and remote areas in Northern BC do not have great access to this information, so it is really important to provide an independent resource for individuals who are worried about cognitive performance as they age, and are interested in finding ways to maintain a healthy brain as they progress in age, or if they are faced with a disease such as Alzheimer’s,” says Dr. Tippett.

Some of the areas of the brain and mental agility exercises featured in the book include:

• The frontal lobe. “The frontal lobe is involved in tasks related to decision making and planning.  Thus one can exercise this area by performing tasks involving combinations of complex activities requiring specific desired outcomes or output.”
• The parietal lobe. “The parietal lobe is a key area involved in integrating visual and motor information to generate the desired response. One of the best things you can do to strengthen this area is to engage in activities that challenge this ability, such as playing video games.”
• The temporal lobe. “Situated in the middle part of your brain, the temporal lobe is heavily involved with supporting activities related to, for example, memories and emotions. A good way to exercise it is by engaging in memory-based activities, such as learning lists of words or song lyrics, or perhaps by telling and re-telling stories.”

Dr. Tippett says he wrote Building an Ageless Mind to put together, in one accessible package, all of the research behind the science to maintaining a healthy brain, and to empower people to change their brain health for the better, particularly as they grow older. Building an Ageless Mind is available now for pre-order at many online retailers and is also is available through Roman & Littlefield prior to its July 16 release date.