Mentally stimulating activities may reduce dementia risk: JAMA

A recent study published in the Journal of American Medical Association suggests that engaging in socially and mentally stimulating activities in older age can have a significant impact on cognitive health and may reduce the risk of dementia.

This longitudinal prospective cohort study conducted by the ASPREE Longitudinal Study of Older Persons (ALSOP) in Australia examined the association between leisure activities, social networks, and dementia risk among individuals aged 70 years or older. Data was collected between March 2010 and November 2020, involved 10,318 community-dwelling participants who were generally healthy and without major cognitive impairment at enrollment. The participants' leisure activities and social networks were assessed at baseline using 19 different measures, which were then classified using exploratory factor analysis.

Over the course of 10 years, the study found that certain activities were associated with a lower risk of dementia. More frequent engagement in adult literacy activities such as writing letters or journaling, using a computer, and taking education classes was associated with an 11.0% lower risk of dementia. Similarly, active mental activities like playing games, cards, chess, and solving crosswords or puzzles were associated with a 9.0% lower risk.

Engagement in creative artistic activities, such as craftwork, woodwork, metalwork, painting, or drawing, was also linked to a reduced risk of dementia, although to a lesser extent. Passive mental activities like reading books, newspapers, magazines, watching television, and listening to music or the radio were also associated with a decreased risk.

Interestingly, the study did not find a significant association between interpersonal networks, social activities, and external outings with dementia risk. This suggests that the specific types of activities and mental stimulation may play a more crucial role in reducing dementia risk.

The findings of this study highlight the potential benefits of engaging in adult literacy, active and passive mental activities, and creative artistic pursuits in older age. These results may have important implications for geriatric care policies and interventions aimed at dementia prevention among older adults.

Source:

Wu, Z., Pandigama, D. H., Wrigglesworth, J., Owen, A., Woods, R. L., Chong, T. T.-J., Orchard, S. G., Shah, R. C., Sheets, K. M., McNeil, J. J., Murray, A. M., & Ryan, J. (2023). Lifestyle Enrichment in Later Life and Its Association With Dementia Risk. In JAMA Network Open (Vol. 6, Issue 7, p. e2323690). American Medical Association (AMA). https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.23690