Secrets of the Grown-up Brain

A leading science writer examines how the brain reaches its peak in middle age, and how to keep it there. For many years, scientists thought that the human brain simply decayed over time, leading to memory slips, fuzzy logic, negative thinking and even depression. But new research from neuroscientists and psychologists suggests that, in fact, the brain reorganises itself as we age, allowing us to recognise patterns faster and make better judgments, and even helping us to adopt a more optimistic outlook. Scientists call these traits 'cognitive expertise', and they reach their highest levels in middle age. In her impeccably researched book, Barbara Strauch explores the latest findings that demonstrate, through the use of technology such as brain scans, that the middle-aged brain is more flexible and more capable than previously thought. By describing the ways a healthy brain functions over time, Strauch also explains how its optimal processes can be maintained. Part scientific survey, part how-to guide, Secrets of the Grown-Up Brain is a fascinating glimpse into our surprisingly middle-aged minds.