Can brain games ward off brain drain?

The latest craze for boomers: brain games for cognitive fitness. But can these computer games really ward off brain drain? "Healthy skepticism is in order," says Gary Kennedy, M.D., director of geriatric psychiatry at Montefiore Medical Center in New York. "That's not to say that they're a waste of money, but it's not likely that they'll have a lasting effect." Any intellectually challenging pursuit can reduce your risk of developing dementia and help you achieve tip-top mental functioning, Kennedy argues, no matter how old you are. And although dementia is associated with age, it's not a normal part of aging. In fact, he says, if you don't have it by the time you reach 85, then your risk actually decreases. The brain is like a computer, and it does slow down with age, but mostly because of illness or inactivity, Kennedy says. Some steps to take for a healthy brain: Engage in physical activity that raises your heart rate but allows you to carry on a conversation. Find a playmate to ...