刺激腦部記憶 效果短暫 防失智 須持續活化大腦

Sustained Mental Activity Bests Momentary Stimulations in Fighting Dementia

根據澳洲的研究指出，65歲以上澳洲人罹患失智症的比例是1：15，85歲以上則增加至1：4。另外，台大醫院神經內科的研究顯示，國人65歲以上罹患失智症的盛行率是5%，每增加5歲，比率會倍增。

According to a recent study in Australia, the ratio of Australians over the age of 65 afflicted with dementia is 1:15, rising to 1:4 in persons over 85. At the Department of Neurology at National Taiwan University Hospital, meanwhile, a study has shown a dementia prevalence rate of 5% among Taiwan residents over the age of 65, and that the proportion of people so afflicted doubles with every increase of five years in age.

隨著高齡化社會的來臨，各國有越來越多的訓練計畫或商業產品加入「如何活化大腦」或「防止大腦退化」的行列。日本有一套「腦力訓練」的電腦遊戲，聲稱可以判讀使用者大腦的年齡，只要勤作軟體中的練習，就可以防止罹患失智症，去年推出後，在全球狂賣。因為他們害怕自己的心智功能會被失智症破壞和摧毀。歐美國家近幾年也不斷推出「大腦保健訓練課程」，吸引大批民眾參與。

With the advent of an aging society, countries around the world are seeing more and more training programs or commercial products that address the issues of “keeping the brain active” or “preventing cerebral degeneration". In Japan, a computer game called Brain Training claims to be able to guess the cerebral age of users and that diligent practice of the software’s exercises can forestall the onset of dementia. Since its release last year, the game has sold like hotcakes around the world to persons who fear the impairment or destruction of their mental functions by dementia. In the west, meanwhile, the great number of “brain maintenance” training programs that have appeared in recent years have attracted great number of participants.

不過，也有專家提醒，任何電腦益智遊戲或頭腦訓練計畫，因為刺激的大腦部位偏向暫時記憶區，所以大都只具備短期的功效而已。最重要的，還是要能夠保持歡喜之心，持續進行終身學習、鍛鍊體力和維持社交功能等活動，提升大腦的長期記憶能力。除此之外，良好的生活習慣和均衡飲食，也都是不可或缺的，這樣才能保持身心的健康，有效的活化大腦。

There are, however, experts who point out that as such computer games or training programs tend to stimulate only short-term memory areas of the brain, their efficacy is generally short-lived. Most important in their view is to remain happy, to maintain lifelong learning habits, to remain physically strong and to keep up an active social life, as these help to boost long-term memory abilities. In addition, good lifestyle habits and balanced nutrition are also indispensable as these help to maintain physical and mental health and keep the brain active.

research in Australia has shown that 不可數

a study has shown that 可數

baby boom <-> baby buster

blockbustering movie/ novel/ video show  (very powerful)

dust-buster 迷你吸塵器  dam buster 水壩

比率 percentage        比例 ratio, proportion

to join the ranks of 加入行列

so afflicted with (in this way)

forestall the onset of 防止