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Brain
Exercises may delay Memory Decline in
Dementia
Newswise — People who engage in activities
that exercise the brain, such as reading,
writing, and playing card games, may delay
the rapid memory decline that occurs if they
later develop dementia, according to a study
published in the August 4, 2009, print issue
of Neurology®, the medical journal of
the American Academy of Neurology.
The study involved 488 people age 75 to 85
who did not have dementia at the start of
the study. They were followed for an average
of five years; during that time 101 of the
people developed dementia.
At the beginning of the study, people
reported how often they participated in six
leisure activities that engage the brain:
reading, writing, doing crossword puzzles,
playing board or card games, having group
discussions, and playing music.
For each activity, daily participation was
rated at seven points, several days a week
was rated at four points, and weekly
participation was rated at one point.
The average was seven points total for those
who later developed dementia, meaning they
took part in one of the six activities each
day, on average. Ten people reported no
activities, and 11 reported only one
activity per week.
The researchers then looked at the point
when memory loss started accelerating
rapidly for the participants.
They found that for every additional
activity a person participated in, the onset
of rapid memory loss was delayed by 0.18
years.
“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,” said study
author Charles B. Hall, PhD, of Albert
Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, NY.
The results remained valid after researchers
factored in the education level of the
participants.
“The effect of these activities in late life
appears to be independent of education,”
Hall said. “These activities might help
maintain brain vitality. Further studies are
needed to determine if increasing
participation in these activities could
prevent or delay dementia.”
The study was supported by the National
Institute on Aging.
The American Academy of Neurology, an
association of more than 21,000 neurologists
and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated
to promoting the highest quality
patient-centered neurologic care through
education and research.
A neurologist is a doctor with specialized
training in diagnosing, treating and
managing disorders of the brain and nervous
system such as stroke, Alzheimer’s disease,
epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple
sclerosis.
For more information about the American
Academy of Neurology, visit
http://www.aan.com or
www.thebrainmatters.org.
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