Develop Advanced Skills Even Late in Life

The Kavli Foundation recently released a readable neuroscience research summary titled The Fantastic Plastic Brian.  The report highlights the claim that adult brains remain adjustable even in the last years of life.   Being adjustable (or plastic) means new neural connections can form and deep learning can take place. One example from the study:

I know a woman who didn’t begin to paint until she was in her 60’s, yet ended her life as a professional painter of high quality. We are capable of remarkable brain changes contributing to the development of remarkable new abilities at any stage of life.

This is an important finding.  It means that not only are there natural cognitive advantages to aging (e.g. increased wisdom, emotional intelligence and learning from experience ability) it is possible to develop professional grade skills even in the most challenging domains.

I am interested to hear from readers that have develop new skills after 55  in art, science, engineering, technology, business, writing or another  professional area.