Page 195 - Demo

193Cognitive functioning is often found to decline in the elderly. This study of elders between the ages of 60 and 74, however, found that, compared to matched controls, those practicing the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique exhibited signifi cantly higher levels of fl uid reasoning, verbal intelligence, long-term memory, and speed of processing.Further analyses found that the TM group had lower levels of the free radical lipid peroxide. Lipid peroxides are highly reactive oxygen-rich molecules, called free radicals, which %u201csteal%u201d electrons from important compounds (fatty acids/lipids) in cell membranes, resulting in cell damage. This process plays a major part in the development of chronic and degenerative conditions such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, aging, cataracts, rheumatoid arthritis, and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. The study also showed signifi cant correlations with lipid peroxide levels for both reasoning ability and memory, suggesting a possible link between cognitive functioning and free radical activity in the elderly. The study also illustrates that TM produces holistic changes ranging from basic biochemical mechanisms underlying health to the highest levels of brain integration that underlie human perception and reasoning.Higher Level of Cognitive Ability in Elders130125120115110105100Fluid Reasoning Visual-Auditory Visual Matching Oral VocabularyTM Controlsp < .01p < .01p < .05 p < .05tm-032CLEARER MIND WITH INCREASING AGEReference: Nidich, S. I., Schneider, R. H., Nidich, R. J., Foster, G., Sharma, H., Salerno, J. W., ..., Alexander, C. N. (2005). Effect of the Transcendental Meditation program on intellectual development in community-dwelling older adults. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 17(1), 217%u2013228.