This is one story I can truly identify with, having experienced the benefits and enjoyment of a particular form of dance, known as BioDanza (The Dance of Life). This article outlines the benefits that all forms of dance can bestow, particularly on ageing people, the current and most fascinating research being on how the socialising, cognitive and physical benefits of dance can prevent dementia. So far there's a significant body of work on how sustained dance can create beneficial structural changes in the brain. In BioDanza, developed by Chilean psychologist Rolando Torro, participants integrate head, heart and mind by moving spontaneously without words to music. I cannot remember a single fellow-participant emerging from a facilitated session without feeling uplifted, even joyous. This latest, potential hugely significant scientific work stands to impact on the quality of life of our burgeoning global population of older people. Perhaps it's most beautifully summed up by an 84-year-old who said her terrible memory dissipated once she began dance classes; "I guess if I really want to remember somebody's name, I've gotta do a little dance." – Chris Bateman

Can dancing prevent dementia?