Doing crossword puzzles and Sudoku does not protect against mental decline, according to a new study.<\/p>\n
The idea of “use it or lose it” when it comes to our brains in later life has previously been widely accepted.<\/p>\n
But a new Scottish study suggests it has no effect on mental decline.<\/p>\n
Instead, results indicate that regularly doing intellectual activities throughout life boosts mental ability and provides a “higher cognitive point” from which to decline.<\/p>\n
This\u00a0study published in the BMJ\u00a0was undertaken by Roger Staff at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and the University of Aberdeen.<\/p>\n
It looked at 498 people born in 1936 who had taken part in a group intelligence test at the age of 11.<\/p>\n
This current study started when they were about 64 years old and they were recalled for memory and mental-processing-speed testing up to five times over a 15-year period.<\/p>\n
It found engagement in problem solving did not protect an individual from decline.<\/p>\n
However, it did mean they had a higher starting point from which decline was observed and therefore delayed the point at which impairment became significant.<\/p>\n
Previously, some studies\u00a0have found that cognitive training can improve some aspects of memory and thinking, particularly for people who are middle-aged or older.<\/p>\n
They found so-called brain training may help older people to manage their daily tasks better.<\/p>\n
No studies have shown that brain training prevents dementia.<\/p>\n
And last year\u00a0a report\u00a0from the Global Council on Brain Health recommended that people should take part in stimulating activities such as learning a musical instrument, designing a quilt or gardening rather than brain training to help their brain function in later life.<\/p>\n
It said the younger a person started these activities, the better their brain function would be as they aged.<\/p>\n
Dr David Reynolds, chief scientific officer at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said the research added to the “ongoing ‘use it or lose it’ debate”.<\/p>\n
But as the research did not consider people with dementia, “we can’t say from these results whether specific brain training activities could impact a person’s risk of the condition”.<\/p>\n
“In addition to staying mentally active, keeping physically fit, eating a healthy balanced diet, not smoking, drinking within recommended guidelines and keeping weight, cholesterol and blood pressure in check are all good ways to support a healthy brain as we get older.”<\/p>\n
–<\/p>\n
BBC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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