As the classic idiom goes, prevention is better than cure, and this is exactly what much of the recent scope of dementia research has focused on.
These 13 Things Could Make You More Likely to Get Alzheimer’s, According to a New Study
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Adding to a mountain of research that suggests an overall healthy lifestyle can drastically lower risk for cognitive decline, we’ve learned thatwalking three times weekly,not smoking,playing musicandfollowing a generally heart-smart lifestylecan majorly move the needle and decrease the chances of receiving a dementia diagnosis.
As many as one in five seniors 65 and older will experience some type of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which can impact memory, decision-making and/or reasoning skills. In many cases, MCI progresses to dementia, includingAlzheimer’s disease.
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To determine this, the scientists studied data from 1,903 people with an average age of about 80 years who were enrolled in theRush Memory and Aging Project. None of these individuals had received a dementia diagnosis at the start of the study.
Each person also took annual clinical evaluations, which covered medical history, a neurological examination and a set of 19 cognitive tests. They also agreed to a brain autopsy after death.
By the conclusion of the 7-year study, 695 participants had died and 457 had developed Alzheimer’s (the latter group included both living and deceased individuals). Those who were most cognitively active as seniors developed Alzheimer’s disease, on average, at age 93.6. Those who reported the least cognitive challenges in old age developed Alzheimer’s disease around an average age of 88.6 years.
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It’s worth noting that this could be a chicken and egg scenario, the scientists write: “it is possible that a low level of cognitive activity is an early sign of underlying disease rather than a true risk factor.”
Still, the researchers believe that a more likely explanation is that cognitively-stimulating habits actually change the way the brain is structured and how it functions to enhance that aforementioned cognitive reserve.
While this study was fairly long-term and extensive, it was performed on mostly white, well-educated participants. Future research should focus on larger cohorts of diverse adults, the scientists recommend.
In addition to reading, playing and writing notes daily, check outhow to exercise for better brain healthand thebest foods to limit to reduce risk for Alzheimer’s.
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