Lauran Neergaard, writing for the Associated Press, highlights a recent finding: lifelong learning, including activities like reading, writing, and acquiring new skills, is associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline.
Andrea Zammit, a neuropsychologist at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, who led a recent study, told the AP: “These activities help stretch your brain and thinking. You’re engaging different cognitive systems. It’s not just about one activity; it’s more about finding meaningful things you’re passionate about and sticking with them, rather than trying a little bit of everything.”
Neergaard also notes that health experts recommend regular exercise, managing blood pressure, getting good sleep, and staying up-to-date on vaccinations as ways to support brain health and potentially slow cognitive decline.
Below are key takeaway from Neergaard‘s AP article:
- Building cognitive reserve may help protect an aging brain: A study by Zammit, involving nearly 2,000 older adults, found that lifelong learning delayed the onset of Alzheimer’s disease by five years and slowed cognitive decline. Autopsy results showed that even in those with Alzheimer’s, individuals with higher cognitive enrichment maintained better memory and thinking skills.
- Exercising the brain makes a difference: Other research suggests that cognitive stimulation, such as playing a musical instrument or engaging in brain training, may lower the risk of dementia. Activities that require quick thinking, like joining a book club, are also recommended.
- Other steps to reduce dementia risk: Neergaard explains that chronic health conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, which increase Alzheimer’s risk, can be managed with heart-healthy habits. She also mentions that getting vaccinated against shingles may help prevent the painful rash and potentially lower the risk of developing dementia.
For additional details, please refer to the original AP article.