Source: Fox News
Summary
A recent study suggests that brain training can lower the risk of dementia. The Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE) study, which began in the late 1990s, evaluated how brain training impacts thinking and memory in nearly 3,000 older adults. The participants who received cognitive speed training, in addition to follow-up training several years later, were 25% less likely to receive a dementia diagnosis over the next two decades. The findings were published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research and Clinical Interventions.
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The advice sounds familiar. Brain training has been touted as a way to improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of dementia for years. This study is one of the first to demonstrate that cognitive training can lower the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The researchers found that speed training, which requires participants to process visual information on a computer screen and make quick decisions, may cause physical changes to the brain, leading to new and stronger connections between brain networks. The study’s findings are promising, but it’s essential to note that more research is needed to fully understand the effects of brain training on dementia risk.
The recommendation enters another phase. As the study’s principal researcher, Michael Marsiske, PhD, noted, “Our initial findings had shown benefits of several training arms up to 10 years after training… These 20-year findings strongly suggest that engagement in cognitive training does no harm and may confer substantial benefit.” The study’s results are a reminder that cognitive training is not a one-size-fits-all solution and that more research is needed to determine the best approaches for different individuals.
It’s not the first time we’ve heard that brain games and cognitive training can improve cognitive function. In fact, it’s a familiar refrain. But what’s new is the study’s finding that cognitive speed training, in particular, may have a long-term impact on dementia risk. The study’s results are a reminder that our brains are capable of change and that cognitive training can be a valuable tool in maintaining cognitive health.
As Dr. Daniel Amen, psychiatrist and founder of Amen Clinics, noted, “New learning is a very important, critical strategy to decrease aging.” The study’s findings suggest that cognitive training can be a valuable part of a comprehensive approach to maintaining cognitive health. But it’s essential to remember that cognitive training is just one piece of the puzzle, and that a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, and stress management, is also crucial for maintaining cognitive health.
We’ve heard it before, but it bears repeating: cognitive training is not a magic bullet for preventing dementia. While the study’s findings are promising, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of cognitive training on dementia risk. In the meantime, it’s essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle and to stay mentally active through a variety of activities, including cognitive training, reading, and social engagement.
Author: Evan Null
