Brain Training Linked to Reduced Dementia Risk
Recent research indicates that engaging in brain training might help lower the risk of dementia. The Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Older Adults (ACTIVE) study, which began in the late 1990s, involved around 3,000 older adults and explored how brain training impacts cognitive functions like thinking and memory.
Participants in the study, aged between 65 and 94 at its start, were randomly assigned to different groups. They underwent ten training sessions focusing on skills such as memory, reasoning, and processing speed, with each session lasting 60 to 75 minutes over a six-week period.
Interestingly, another group participated in “booster” training sessions 11 and 35 months after their initial training. A follow-up revealed that those who had received cognitive speed training, along with these booster sessions, were 25% less likely to be diagnosed with dementia over the subsequent two decades.
Lead researchers from the University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions noted that this might be one of the first trial results showing that a variety of interventions can help decrease the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
The findings were published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research and Clinical Interventions. Participants deemed the “most advantaged” received up to 18 training sessions over three years. Researcher Michael Marsiske, a professor at the University of Florida, expressed surprise at the results.
He stated, “Our findings show the effectiveness of some training protocols even ten years after training, with participants reporting fewer daily living impairments and fewer car accidents.” The researchers emphasized that their extensive research suggests cognitive training is beneficial and poses no harm.
As the study progressed, participants noted improvements in tasks like cooking, managing medications, and handling finances. Even after a decade, those who focused on reasoning and processing speed maintained enhancements in cognitive performance.
Looking ahead, the research team aims to conduct a follow-up trial examining how integrating cognitive training with lifestyle changes—like exercise, better nutrition, and blood pressure management—can further benefit older adults.
According to Marsiske, “We’re excited about integrating real-world data, such as Medicare records, with our clinical findings.” Funded by the National Institute on Aging and the National Institute of Nursing Research, the study underscores the importance of keeping the mind active and learning new skills to protect brain health.
Other studies have explored correlations between lifestyle adjustments and reduced dementia risk, including a recent study published in JMIR Serious Games that found smartphone games could enhance attention and memory.
Dr. Daniel Amen, a psychiatrist, previously emphasized the importance of continual mental challenges but advised setting limits. He suggested that disciplined engagement in games like Sudoku can improve memory, adding that dedicating just 15 minutes daily to learning something new—whether it be a language, an instrument, or a new culinary skill—can significantly combat the effects of aging.
