Games and puzzles keep dementia at bay

During the five years of the research, the researchers analyzed the data on 101 participants who developed dementia or related conditions over an average follow-up time of five consequent years.

For the study, researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University used the information from the Bronx Aging Study, which included data on 488 initially healthy people, aged between 75-85 years between the years 1980 and 1983.

The cognitive abilities of these participants were tested at the beginning of the study, and at subsequent visits, every 12 to 18 months for almost five years. These tests were used in the process of dementia's diagnosis.

The subjects reported how often they participated in six different mentally stimulating activities, i.e. reading, writing, doing crossword puzzles, playing a board or card game, participating in a group discussion, or playing music.

Researcher's observations
The experts observed that the cognitive activities proved effective when accelerated memory decline began. Each extra activity day per week delayed the onset of rapid memory decline by 0.18 years (almost two months).

According to the researchers, the study participants who engaged in 11 brain stimulating activities per week were less likely to develop degenerative disorders compared to those who took part in only four, the lowest levels of activity per week.

Another aspect noted in the study was the positive effect of brain-stimulating activities appeared to be independent of a person's level of education.

Study author Charles B. Hall, PhD, of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, said in a written statement: “The point of accelerated decline was delayed by 1.29 years for the person who participated in 11 activities per week compared to the person who participated in only four activities per week.”

Joe Verghese, associate professor of neurology and director of the division of cognitive & motor aging at Einstein, said, "The study shows that it is important for older people to engage in cognitively stimulating activities, and to do them frequently. We found that the more activities you do and the more often you do them, the better off you are."

The paper "Cognitive activities delay onset of memory decline in persons who develop dementia" was published in the August 2009 issue of Neurology.

About dementia
Dementia is a decline in mental capabilities, especially memory and functioning, that can be caused by diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, as well as stroke and infections to the brain. Alzheimer's is the third-largest killer in the U.S. after heart disease and cancer.

Although it is believed that genetics play a vital role in dementia, recent studies have revealed that lifestyle factors might also influence the severity of this problem.