A U.S. study published in the journal Neurology and reported by The Guardian shows that individuals with high levels of mental activity throughout their lives had a 38 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
The risk of mild cognitive impairment was 36 percent lower. The researchers adjusted for factors such as age, gender, and education.
Those with the highest levels of mental stimulation also developed the disease several years later than those with the least stimulation.
Older adults’ cognitive lives
The study followed 1,939 individuals with an average age of 80. None had dementia at the start, and participants were monitored for approximately eight years.
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Researchers collected information about the participants’ lives. This included access to books and newspapers during childhood, language learning, cultural activities in adulthood, as well as reading and writing in old age.
During the study period, 551 individuals developed Alzheimer’s disease, while 719 developed mild cognitive impairment.
The fight against dementia
The researchers emphasize that the study shows an association. It does not prove that mental activity directly prevents dementia.
According to The Guardian, the number of people living with dementia worldwide is expected to exceed 150 million by 2050. This poses major challenges for healthcare systems globally.
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The study contributes to research on how lifestyle factors may influence brain health later in life.
Sources: The Guardian, and Neurology.
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