With the global increase in life expectancy and the aging of the population, the number of people with neurodegenerative diseases is also increasing alarmingly. In the absence of a treatment to cure dementia, scientists are looking for new ways of early detection and, above all, prevention of this condition. A new study has shown that keeping the brain active, through activities that challenge it – such as crosswords, chess, puzzles or card games – can reduce the risk of developing dementia in people over 70.
The extension of life is associated with an increase in the prevalence of degenerative diseases at the brain level, and the loss of cognitive function affects not only the physical and mental health of people with dementia, but also that of their families.
Although there are currently treatments that slow the progression of dementia, none have been proven to be completely effective. Therefore, identifying and adopting new strategies to prevent or delay the onset of dementia in the elderly is a priority for scientists.
Experts have long emphasized that dementia is not an inevitable part of aging, and much research over time has shown that eating healthy, avoiding smoking, and being physically active, as well as having various leisure activities, that alter daily routine, are among the options that can reduce the risk of dementia.
Now, researchers from Australia’s Monash University provide new evidence that challenging the brain may be even more beneficial than previously thought activities.
Participants, followed for 10 years
Australian researchers used data from the ASPREE Longitudinal Study of Older People, covering a 10-year period (March 1, 2010 to November 30, 2020). The team analyzed data from more than 10,000 participants who were over the age of 70 and had no cognitive impairment or cardiovascular disease when they were recruited. They were assessed for dementia periodically, and the study authors state that factors such as: age, gender, smoking/non-smoking status, education, socio-economic status and whether the participants had other diseases that could affect the brain, such as be diabetes.
And learning new skills helps septuagenarians
The study’s results – some of the most robust on the subject to date – were published late last week in the journal of the American Medical Association, JAMA Network, and the authors believe they may help older people and aged care professionals plan approaches more targeted at reducing the risk of dementia.
Specifically, the scientists found that participants who routinely engaged in adult literacy activities and learning new skills—such as adult education classes, using computers, keeping a journal—and in mental acuity activities , such as completing quizzes and crosswords, puzzles, chess or playing cards reduced the risk of developing dementia by up to 11%, compared to their peers who did not have such activities.
And creative hobbies such as woodworking, knitting or painting, as well as more passive activities such as reading, watching the news, or listening to music reduced the risk of cognitive decline by 7%.
Socialization did not produce notable changes
In contrast, social activities (such as: meeting and interacting with friends) and the frequency of planned outings outside the home (for example: going to a restaurant, museum or cinema) were not associated with a reduced risk of dementia.
The study authors state that the results remained statistically significant even when adjusted for previous education level and socioeconomic status. At the same time, no significant variations were found between men and women.
In conclusion, the greatest benefits came from activities that challenged the brain, whether competitive in nature and requiring problem-solving, or challenging participants to process and store new information.
The lead author of the research, Associate Professor Joanne Ryan, from the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, said identifying strategies to prevent or delay dementia was a huge global priority: “We had a unique opportunity to close a gap in knowledge by investigating a wide range of lifestyle enrichment activities that older adults often undertake and to assess which of these were most strongly aligned with dementia avoidance’.
“I think what our results tell us is that active use of previously stored knowledge may play a greater role in reducing the risk of dementia than more passive recreational activities. Keeping the mind active and challenged can be particularly important,” said Professor Ryan, quoted by medicalxpress.com
According to the World Health Organization, currently more than 55 million people suffer from dementia worldwide, most of them elderly, but every year ten million new cases appear. So, in the next 30 years, the number of people suffering from this disease could triple, WHO estimates.
By 2030, an estimated 78 million people will be living with dementia, according to Alzheimer’s Disease International, and most of the increase in the prevalence of the disease is expected to be seen in developing countries. The global cost of dementia is more than $1.3 trillion and is expected to rise to $2.8 trillion by 2030, including the cost of informal care provided by loved ones and family, social care and medical care.
2023-07-17 04:15:01
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