| It's happened to us all. In mid sentence, we suddenly | | | | perhaps a couple of letter and its rough length. Yet |
| can't recall the word we need. | | | | you can't remember how the word sounds, and |
| Scientists call this a TOT. A Tip of Tongue | | | | consequently how it is spelled. |
| experience. | | | | Maybe it means that a cluster of information bits are |
| Usually, you know what the word means and you | | | | used to define the word in your memory. But during |
| might remember what letter the word begins with. | | | | retrieval, either the retrieval mechanism or a few bits |
| You will probably know if the word is short or long. | | | | of memory related to word sound are temporarily |
| But despite all these clues, that blasted word still | | | | weakened? |
| seems reticent about coming out of our memory. | | | | Perhaps this weakness is due to the atrophy of grey |
| The word is stuck on the tip of your tongue. A TOT | | | | matter in the brain as we age. The decline in grey |
| is an uncomfortable or frustrating feeling. | | | | matter is linked with cognitive decline. |
| TOTs first start to increase in frequency in adults in | | | | Research published in the prestigious science journal |
| their 30s or 40s. And continue to increase slowly | | | | "Nature" linked TOTs with atrophy in the insula (part |
| over the rest of their life. | | | | of the brain). |
| Factors other than aging can cause an increase in | | | | Older brains seem to have difficulty increasing |
| TOTs. Tiredness, stress, lack of sleep, and alcohol | | | | resources to help find words during TOTs. Perhaps |
| can all increase the frequency of TOTs. You may | | | | older adults have more unresolved TOTs. |
| notice an increase in spoonerisms as well as more | | | | And younger people may have more 'micro-TOTs'. |
| TOTs. | | | | That is, very brief lapses in word retrieval? |
| Generally, cognitive decline increases with age. But | | | | An impressive feature of our brains is its ability to |
| the degree of loss varies greatly between individuals | | | | generate words rapidly on the fly while talking. Even |
| and with the particular function tested. The most | | | | during fairly advanced ageing. So we will always be |
| noticeable decline occurs from the 70s onwards. | | | | able to enjoy a good yarn with friends. |
| Including TOTs. | | | | There are many things you can do to slow cognitive |
| This may be partly due to the accelerating incidence | | | | decline in general. |
| at this stage of life of diseases such as Alzheimer's | | | | Most of these are simple- avoid getting stuck in a |
| disease. | | | | rut, continually challenge yourself mentally with new |
| What I find interesting about TOTs is that they give | | | | experiences and learning, exercise, stay passionate, |
| you a clue about the complexity of even 'simple' | | | | eat a healthy diet, and be sociable. |
| memories. | | | | The simple message is- look after your brain. It is |
| Think about it. You remember what the word means, | | | | YOU. |