Islamabad(The COW News Digital)Adopting simple mental activities such as reading, writing, or learning a new language may significantly reduce the risk of cognitive decline later in life, according to a new study conducted in the United States.
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center found that engaging in intellectually stimulating activities throughout life can lower the likelihood of developing dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of the condition.
Dementia currently has no cure, and global health experts estimate that by 2050, more than 150 million people worldwide could be living with the disease. The findings of this study suggest that consistent mental engagement may serve as a protective factor against age-related cognitive deterioration.
The research involved 1,939 participants with an average age of 80 at the start of the study. None of the individuals had dementia at the beginning. Their cognitive health was monitored over an eight-year period, during which researchers assessed their involvement in mentally stimulating activities across three life stages: early adulthood, middle age, and later years.
Participants were asked about their habits during youth, including whether they regularly read books, engaged in writing, or learned a foreign language. Similar information was collected regarding their activities in middle age and at their current age.
By the end of the study, 551 participants had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, while 719 showed signs of mild cognitive impairment. After accounting for various health and lifestyle factors, researchers concluded that individuals who consistently engaged in activities such as reading, writing, or language learning throughout their lives had a 38 percent lower risk of developing dementia. Their risk of mild cognitive decline was reduced by 36 percent.
Experts involved in the study emphasized that keeping the brain active at every stage of life may strengthen cognitive resilience. They noted that intellectual stimulation appears to build a “cognitive reserve,” which helps the brain better cope with age-related changes.
The findings were published in the journal Neurology, highlighting the growing scientific consensus that lifelong learning and mental engagement play a vital role in maintaining brain health.
