A recent report by a global panel of dementia experts emphasizes the importance of cognitive activities, particularly reading, in reducing the risk of dementia.
The Dementia Lancet Commission, comprised of global dementia experts, has recommended 13 strategies for reducing dementia risk, highlighting the significance of cognitive activities during both childhood and adulthood, particularly through reading and education. Previous studies have consistently shown a strong correlation between reading and the reduced risk of dementia onset and cognitive decline. Notably, a study conducted in Taiwan involving 1,962 seniors over the age of 64 revealed that those who read books or newspapers at least twice a week had a 45-50% lower risk of cognitive decline compared to non-readers, with these benefits evident regardless of educational background.
Recent research from American scientists further explores the relationship between lifelong intellectual activities such as reading, writing, and learning foreign languages and the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease dementia. A study from the Rush University in Chicago followed 1,939 seniors with an average age of 80 over eight years and found that those engaged in the highest levels of reading and cognitive activities delayed the onset of Alzheimer's disease by over five years compared to those who engaged less, and mild cognitive impairment occurred seven years later on average. This highlights the profound impact of cognitive engagement on delaying dementia onset.
The researchers categorized participants' lives into three periods to assess their cognitive activities. In childhood, they analyzed the frequency of being read to, reading for pleasure, and access to newspapers and atlases, while in middle age, they considered income level, magazine subscriptions, and library usage. For older adults, they focused on reading, writing, and games, along with income from social security and pensions. The study revealed a stark difference in dementia rates based on the level of cognitive engagement, with 551 out of the total participants developing Alzheimer's disease during the research period, emphasizing the crucial role of ongoing intellectual activities in maintaining cognitive health as one ages.
