Three things can save the brain from dementia. It is worth having time for them from an early age

Scientists are constantly looking for ways to delay or reduce the risk of dementia. Now British researchers have looked at education, work and social activity – manifested throughout life – in people aged 69 and over. It turned out that the better education and qualifications, as well as the greater activity, the better the brain fitness in old age.

1. Neurologists have long said that the more you train your brain, the lower the risk of dementia
2. This is confirmed by further studies. The condition of the brain is also influenced by building cognitive reserve through learning
3. Intellectual, social and physical activity can help keep your mind well for longer and delay the development of dementia, says the author of the study
4. More current information can be found on the Onet homepage

Cognitive resources and dementia

Building cognitive resources, which include, among others knowledge and social activity reduce the risk of developing dementia – we read in the journal “Neurology”.

Scientists from Brighton and Sussex Medical School set out to find out why some people with amyloid plaques (a marker of Alzheimer’s disease) have cognitive impairment (mainly memory problems) in their brains, while other people with the same amyloid plaque levels do not show any symptoms deterioration of mental performance.

Researchers analyzed data on 1184 people born in the UK in 1946. Participants underwent a series of cognitive tests when they were eight and then at 69.

Cognitive resources (reserves) were also taken into account: education obtained up to the age of 26, professional path up to the age of 53, and involvement in social life up to the age of 43.

Being active and expanding your knowledge help protect your brain

People with greater cognitive resources and better childhood reading skills had better test scores at 69 years of aget. The maximum score was 100 points. The mean score of the studied group was 92 points (lowest 53 and highest 100).

Participants with higher education had an average of 1,22 points better than those without higher education. Having professional qualifications was associated with a score higher by 1,5 points on average, and greater involvement in social life (including participation in various types of activities, membership in clubs or volunteering) – by 1,53 points.

Earlier work has shown that people with lower cognitive test scores experience greater cognitive decline in old age. These studies suggest that training the brain and building up cognitive reserve through learning helps protect the brain and therefore may reduce this risk.

“ These results show that our cognitive abilities are shaped by many different factors throughout our lives, and that intellectual, social and physical activity can help maintain good mental alertness for longer and delay the development of dementia, ” comments Dr. Dorina Cadar, author of the study.