Active Brains

A study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that the mental activity may significantly reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Participants in the religious orders study, a long –term study of aging in catholic nuns, priests and brothers, were followed for about 41/2 years. The individuals, all over the age of 65, were asked how often they did activities that stimulate the brain, such as reading books and newspapers, doing crosswords, playing cards or going to museums. This was followed up with yearly tests to measure memory, language skills and attention span.

By the end of study 111 of the participants had developed Alzheimer’s disease. Upon further examination researchers found that, on average people who engaged in brain stimulating activities daily were 47 percent less likely to develop the disease.

While it’s not clear exactly how brain stimulating activities protect against Alzheimer’s disease, some scientists believe that repetition of certain skills makes pathways in the brain less vulnerable to damage.