Tips for Boosting Your Memory: Running, Blueberries?

Jan. 22, 2010— -- Could you run your way to a better memory?

Maybe so.

Earlier this week, scientists published a study adding more fuel to the growing belief that exercise boosts brain health.

The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and conducted by the U.S. National Institute on Aging in Maryland, found that running led to the growth of new brain cells and improved performance.

Henriette van Praag, a scientist the National Institute on Aging, said that though scientists previously observed the effects of running on brain health, it was never clear that there was a causal relationship. With this study, she said they "got a little closer."

The scientists observed two groups of mice -- one group had access to a running wheel, the other did not. At first, during a training run, the mice were shown two boxes on a touch screen computer. If they touched the left box, they were given a sugar pellet. If they touched the right box, they were given nothing.

Then the mice were subject to a memory test involving the same squares. The more they touched the correct box, the higher they scored.

As the trial continued, the boxes were moved closer together and van Praag said that's when the effects of running were most visible.

"When we brought them close together, the effect of running kicked in at that time," she said. "Animals that did best on the test also had the greatest number of new neurons."

She said research has long shown that exercise is beneficial for brain function and memory – this study helps show why.

John Grohol, a clinical psychologist and founder of the online mental health resource PsychCentral.com, said that exercise is one of the best things you can do to keep your brain healthy.

"This study just adds to the evidence that physical activity can enhance and keep our brains healthy," he said.