2024-09-27 12:25:24
Brain-stimulating activities have an impact on protecting against mental decline. What are they and how often should you practice them?
1.8 million Germans suffer from dementia. The term dementia encompasses more than 50 clinical pictures. It is estimated that around 2.8 million Germans will be affected by 2050. There are currently no medications that cure the disease. But their progression can be slowed. Prevention is required.
Several studies have already confirmed a connection between brain-stimulating activities such as puzzles and protection against mental decline. Now a new one was added.
US researchers examined the medical records of more than 5,900 people who were 50 years old or older in 2012 and already suffered from mild cognitive impairment. As part of monitoring, they were observed for eight years through telephone interviews and self-disclosure surveys.
The scientists divided them into three categories based on the frequency with which they engaged in cognitively stimulating leisure activities. These include reading, writing, crossword puzzles, games like chess or word-finding games or similar hobbies.
In all three groups, cognitive decline was recorded among the subjects during the study period. But it was slower for the group of people who engaged in stimulating activities most often. They also consistently demonstrated and maintained higher levels of cognitive function. Based on standardized cognitive tests, it was shown that they consistently performed better in memory performance, attention and the speed with which information is processed.
And this trend continued downward: People who were placed in the middle group also had significantly better results than those who did little to no mentally stimulating activities.
How often is ideal to be able to count yourself in the first group? According to the results of the study, more than three units per week with intensive study of the subject matter are optimal. According to the researchers, these findings could be used to find therapies that could delay the onset of dementia.