Use it or lose it – the hobby that can keep our brains young

If you’ve never played an instrument before, the brain-boosting benefits could be even more powerful. The Swiss and German scientists behind a research showed that learning the piano in later life can actually slow down the process of cognitive decline in people with little or no past musical training. After six months of weekly piano lessons, the study participants, who were between 62 and 78 years old, performed better in tests that challenged their working memory, like remembering directions, an ability which tends to decrease with age.

tips

instrument：工具，手段，仪器

instruct：教育指导；命令；通知

cognitive：认知的

participant：参与者（participate 参与）

tend：走向；有某种倾向