Keep Your Wits About You The Science of Brain Maintenance as You Age

A practical guide to maintaining a healthy brain for readers of any age, but particularly those in midlife and older.

This book offers scientifically-based information on living a brain-healthy lifestyle. While there is no cure for Alzheimer's and other degenerative brain diseases that cause dementia, research shows that you can reduce your risk for dementia and improve your memory and other cognitive abilities by adopting certain healthy behaviors. Through exercising, keeping your mind active, staying socially connected, and eating well, you can directly improve your brain health and thus benefit your memory, cognitive abilities such as attention and multitasking, and even your mood.

Neuropsychologist and gerontologist Vonetta M. Dotson summarizes the science behind brain health and offers behavioral strategies for improving it, such as targeted exercise, social engagement, and cognitive training. Each chapter presents the research behind a given strategy and practical guidance on how to incorporate healthy behaviors into daily life.
 
 

Vonetta M. Dotson, PhD, is associate professor of psychology and gerontology at Georgia State University. Dr. Dotson is also the director of the Aging Well for Everyone NeuropsychologyLaboratory, where her research expertise includes cognitive and brain changes in late-life depression and exercise interventions for cognitive, brain, and emotional functioning in older adults. She is also the director of the Georgia State University Brain Health Clinic, and is a licensed clinical psychologist with a specialization in gero-neuropsychology. Dr. Dotson has published more than 50 papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals, coauthored more than 70 conference presentations, and has given multiple workshops to professionals. She is a fellow of APA's Society for Clinical Neuropsychology and a past member of the APA Committee on Aging. Dr. Dotson also teaches group fitness classes to students of all ages, including older adults. Her new business start-up, CerebroFit, LLC, is aimed at providing clinical, educational, and consultation services for brain health and wellness in the community. 

Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1: What is a healthy brain and how can we keep it that way?
Chapter 2: Get up and move: Physical activity for a healthy brain
Chapter 3: Use it or lose it: Mental activity for a healthy brain
Chapter 4: Stay connected: Social activity for a healthy brain
Chapter 5: You are what you eat: Nutrition for a healthy brain
Chapter 6: Get your shut-eye: Sleep for a healthy brain
Chapter 7: To your health! Mental and physical wellness for a healthy brain
Chapter 8: Put it all together and start your journey to a healthier brain
About the Author
Index