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 to forging a 'razor sharp' memory long 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.

So spectacular is Dominic's memory that he was entered into the Guinness Book of Records in 2002 for memorising 54 packs of cards after peering at each card just once.

Speaking to hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary, the mnemonist - a person with the ability to remember and recall unusually long lists of data - advised people to ward off dementia by playing digital games, instruments and committing to regular exercise.

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 grid with a four by four on TV.

Dominic O'Brien (pictured) has revealed the secrets to forging a 'razor sharp' memory long into old age

The mnemonist 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, crosswords... I try and do them as quickly as possible. Occasionally I'll try to memorise a deck of cards if it's possible. It's to keep the wheels turning sort of thing.

'Physical exercise as well. I do a lot of walking and playing physical instruments. The piano is very good for memory and so are brass instruments.

'For executive functions and general skills - it's more singing and woodwind instruments. It's better if you start early with an instrument but never too late to start'.

The former memory champion added that when competing he trained his mind for three hours a day. However he claimed that regular citizens needed just '10 to 15 minutes' of practice per day.

Dominic, who has also authored various memory-related books, warned viewers to do these activities in order to fend off dementia, which he labelled as the 'biggest killer now in the UK'.

He said: 'There's research coming out of York university - they talk about playing digital games and you know exercising your memory.

'Keeping the wheels turning here [in the mind] and playing digital games is very good for senior citizens as well'... keep an active mind. Use it or lose it'.

Dominic also shared that he began training his memory at age 30 after becoming interested in classic card game Bridge.

Speaking to hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary, he advised people to ward off dementia by playing digital games, instruments and committing to regular exercise

WHAT IS DEMENTIA?

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

A GLOBAL CONCERN 

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders (those affecting the brain) which impact memory, thinking and behaviour. 

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

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

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

Dementia is a global concern but it is most often seen in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live into very old age.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?

The Alzheimer's Society reports there are more than 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK today. This is projected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, affecting between 50 and 75 per cent of those diagnosed.

In the US, it's estimated there are 5.5 million Alzheimer's sufferers. A similar percentage rise is expected in the coming years.

As a person’s age increases, so does the risk of them developing dementia.

Rates of diagnosis are improving but many people with dementia are thought to still be undiagnosed.

IS THERE A CURE?

Currently there is no cure for dementia.

But new drugs can slow down its progression and the earlier it is spotted, the more effective treatments can be.

Source: Alzheimer’s Society 

Coming from a long line of Bridge players, he developed his interest into memorising whole packs of cards.

He would later go on to acquire a place in the Guinness Book of Records for memorising a random sequence of 2808 playing cards (54 packs).

Dominic revealed that this time in his life was 'very exhausting'.

He said: 'I did a record here in 2002 in London - I memorised 54 packs of playing cards which were shuffled into each other and then dealt out just once.

'So that took a lot of organisation - it took me 12 hours to memorise them and another three hours to recite them all... very, very exhausting mentally'. 

Dominic has authored various books about memory training including How to Pass Exams, The Winning Hand, and The Amazing Memory Box.

He also developed the Dominic System - a mnemonic system used to remember number sequences by converting digits into pairs of letters.

He would then associate the letters with people and actions such as Rishi Sunak with Number 10.