Learning from Bees

"Caring for the young may delay — and in some cases, even reverse — multiple negative effects of aging in the brain," suggest Gro Andam, who studies aging in bees at Arizona State University.  As reported in Scientific American Mind (November 2012), Andam observed "tremendous improvements in older bees that turn their attention back to nursing.  She has reason to believe that changes in social behavior could shave years off the human brain as well."

"When bees age, their duties switch from taking care of the brood to foraging outside the hive.  The transition is followed by a swift physical and cognitive decline. [Editor:  How do you measure cognitive decline in bees?]  Andam removed young bees from their hives, which tricked the older bees into returning to their caretaker posts.  Then she tested their ability to learn new tasks.  A number reverted to their former cognitive prowess....

"Andam's theory is that when older individuals participate in tasks typically handled by a younger generation — whether in a hive or in our own society — antioxidant levels increase in the brain and turn back the clock."

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