"Use it or lose it" say experts in the fight against dementia
7 August 2009
With more research we may be able to find ways of preventing dementia. In the UK 1.4 million people will develop dementia within a generation, so we need to invest now. 
Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust
Taking part in activities that exercise the brain, such as reading, writing or playing music, may delay the start of memory loss in people who develop dementia, say researchers.
Scientists studied a group of people aged 75 to 85 in the US over a 30-year period. At the beginning of the study, they asked each person how often they took part in six leisure activities including reading, writing, crossword puzzles, playing board games or card games, having group discussions or playing musical instruments. The scientists established how well educated each person was by asking how many years of schooling they had during their lifetime.
Of the 500 people in the study, 101 went on to develop dementia. The researchers analysed the results from these people and found that the more leisure activities they did, the slower their memory deteriorated. For each additional activity, memory decline was delayed by over two months (0.18 years). They also found that this occurred regardless of whether or not a person was well educated.
"The effects of these activities in later life appear to be independent of education," said lead researcher Charles B Hall. "These activities might help maintain brain vitality. Further studies are needed to determine if increasing participation in these activities could prevent or delay dementia."
Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, said: "This study shows that exercising the brain may delay the start of memory loss in people who develop dementia. This adds to the 'use it or lose it' hypothesis that we can reap the benefits of stimulating our minds regularly, perhaps by doing crosswords, playing chess or adding up the shopping before getting to the till."
"Dementia risk can be reduced by eating a healthy diet, whilst keeping an active body and mind. With more research we may be able to find ways of preventing dementia. In the UK 1.4 million people will develop dementia within a generation, so we need to invest now," she said.
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