A recent study at Tel Aviv University in Israel, tested 60 volunteers using a brain exercising computer program, MindFit, for 30 minutes, three times a week, and compared them with another 60 playing sophisticated computer games.

The results showed that although all benefited from playing on the computer, those on MindFit had better improvement in short-term learning, visual and spatial learning and focused attention.

These findings are especially relevant to those of a certain age and show that exercise can stave off the reduction of mental faculties. It seems that very few golden agers realize that giving the brain a workout is just as important as physical exercise.

Susan Greenfield, a neurologist and Director of the Royal Institution, is supporting the use of computer brain games to tackle mental decline.

She believes that with no cure for Alzheimer’s disease on the horizon, these exercises are a good way of staving off dementia and keeping the mind alert.

Baronness Greenfield will launch MindFit in the House of Lords in October. She says, “There is now good scientific evidence to show that exercising the brain can slow, delay and protect against age related decline”.

Nintendo, the computer console company, is behind another product, the Brain Training computer game. The Brain-Master keeps the mind agile by testing logical analysis, memory retention, coordination and concentration.

The developer of the software, Professor Ryuta Hawashima of Japan’s Tohonu University, said the games increase the delivery of oxygen, blood and amino acids to the brain, leading to the creation of connections between brain cells.

MindFit is a new rival, developed in Israel and already available in the U.S. Baroness Greenfield is involved with the company producing the software and her name will be used to promote it in Britain, where it will cost £70 ($140).

The software claims to improve short-term memory by 18 percent, eye-hand co-ordination by 16.5 percent, memory recall by 14 percent and reaction time by 12.5 percent.

In today’s cult of youth, would an 81-year old ever be voted as their country’s greatest living person, followed by a woman of 70-ish and another of 80? Not to mention a 50-ish woman voted as best in films?

Of course, the winner is a very special person.

The Queen at her Coronation in 1953

The British public has selected the Queen as “the Greatest Living Briton 2007″. The ITV show was broadcast live and viewers asked to vote for their choice. The awards ceremony was to celebrate British achievement.

The Queen finished top of a list of other famous — but perhaps less worthy — Britons, including Paul McCartney (60-ish), Julie Andrews (70-ish), Margaret Thatcher (80-ish) and pop singer Robbie Williams (just ish).

Her Majesty wasn’t present to receive her accolade, but her son Prince Edward paid tribute via a video transmission.

Coincidentally, Helen Mirren (50-ish), who claimed an Oscar earlier this year for her portrayal of the Queen in the film of the same name, took the top prize for The Greatest Briton in Film.

The Monarch, who has been on the Throne for 55 years showed a clean pair of heels to the celebrity striplings who might have thought they stood a chance. It was a very good night for golden agers.