Eight-time world memory champion, 66, reveals secrets to growing ‘razor sharp’ memory and warns ‘senior citizens’ to ‘use it or lose it’

A world memory champion has revealed the secrets of forging a ‘razor-sharp’ memory well into old age.

Dominic O’Brien, 66, from London, appeared on This Morning today to share the handy tips he used to win the World Memory Championships a record eight times.

Dominic’s memory is so spectacular that in 2002 he was entered into the Guinness Book of Records for memorizing 54 decks of cards after looking at each card just once.

Speaking to presenters Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary, the mnemonist – a person with the ability to remember and retrieve unusually long lists of data – advised people to ward off dementia by playing digital games and instruments and exercising regularly to move.

He also explained how he keeps his memory ‘sharp’ in his sixties: ‘I play games every day. I do Sudoku, I do WordAll, I do connections – you know the four-by-four grid on TV.

The mnemonic appeared on This Morning today to share the handy tips he used to win the World Memory Championships a record eight times

‘I also do spelling bees, crossword puzzles… I try to do them as quickly as possible. Every now and then I try to memorize a deck of cards, if possible. It’s to keep the wheels turning.

‘Also physical exertion. I walk a lot and play physical instruments. The piano is very good for the memory, just like brass instruments.

‘For executive functions and general skills it is more like singing and woodwind instruments. It is better if you start early with an instrument, but never too late to start.’

The former memory champion added that he trained his mind for three hours a day during competitions. However, he claimed that ordinary citizens only needed “10 to 15 minutes” of exercise a day.

Dominic, who has also written several memory-related books, warned viewers to take up these activities to ward off dementia, which he branded the ‘biggest killer in Britain today’.

He said: ‘There’s research coming from the University of York – they talk about playing digital games and you know training your memory.

‘Keeping things running here (in the head) and playing digital games is also very good for seniors’… stay active. Use it or lose it’.

Dominic also said that he started training his memory at the age of 30 after becoming interested in the classic card game Bridge.

Speaking to presenters Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary, he advised people to prevent dementia by playing digital games and instruments and exercising regularly.

WHAT IS DEMENTIA?

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological conditions

A GLOBAL CARE

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological conditions (affecting the brain) that affect memory, thinking and behavior.

There are many forms of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common.

Some people may have a combination of different forms of dementia.

Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience dementia in their own unique way.

Dementia is a global problem, but it is most common in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live to a very old age.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?

The Alzheimer’s Society reports that there are currently more than 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK. This number is expected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting between 50 and 75 percent of those diagnosed.

There are an estimated 5.5 million people in the US with Alzheimer’s disease. A similar percentage increase is expected in the coming years.

As a person’s age increases, so does the risk that he or she will develop dementia.

The number of diagnoses is increasing, but it is believed that many people with dementia are still undiagnosed.

IS THERE A TREATMENT?

There is currently no medicine against dementia.

But new medications can slow its progression and the sooner it is caught, the more effective treatments can be.

Source: Alzheimer’s Association

Coming from a long line of bridge players, he developed an interest in memorizing entire decks of cards.

He would later earn a place in the Guinness Book of Records for memorizing a random sequence of 2,808 playing cards (54 packs).

Dominic revealed that this time in his life was ‘very tiring’.

He said: ‘I made a record here in London in 2002 – I memorized 54 packs of playing cards, which were shuffled together and then dealt just once.

‘So that took a lot of organization – it took me twelve hours to memorize them and another three hours to recite them all… very mentally exhausting.’

Dominic has written several books on memory training, including How to Pass Exams, The Winning Hand and The Amazing Memory Box.

He also developed the Dominic system – a mnemonic device used to remember sequences of numbers by converting numbers into pairs of letters.

He then associated the letters with people and actions, like Rishi Sunak with the number 10.