Regular reading, writing, and learning foreign languages may reduce the risk of dementia by nearly 40%, according to American researchers.
Moreover, among the most intellectually active individuals, the disease began on average five to seven years later. The study results were published in the journal Neurology.
The research suggests that lifelong intellectual activity may delay or even help prevent the development of Alzheimer’s disease — the most common form of dementia.
Today, dementia is considered one of the greatest global healthcare challenges.
According to projections, the number of people living with this diagnosis could exceed 150 million by 2050. Therefore, identifying factors that can slow cognitive decline is of enormous importance.
Scientists from the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago followed 1,939 older adults with an average age of about 80 who did not have dementia at the start of the study. The observation period lasted an average of eight years. Participants completed questionnaires about their lifestyles at different stages of life — during childhood, midlife, and later years.
“Cognitive enrichment” included factors such as how often participants read during childhood, the presence of books and newspapers at home, studying a foreign language for more than five years, visiting libraries and museums, access to educational resources, as well as reading, writing, and engaging in intellectual games in older age.
During the study period, Alzheimer’s disease developed in 551 participants, while 719 experienced mild cognitive impairment. Among people with the highest level of lifelong intellectual activity, Alzheimer’s disease occurred in 21%, compared with 34% among the least active participants. After adjusting for age, sex, and education, researchers found that a high level of cognitive enrichment was associated with a 38% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease and a 36% lower risk of mild cognitive impairment.
The authors emphasize that the study demonstrates an association but does not prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Nevertheless, the findings support the idea that dementia is not an inevitable part of aging and that lifestyle may play a significant role in maintaining cognitive health.
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