Research into impact of mental activity on memory loss

The study, entitled 'Cognitive Activities are Associated with Decreased Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment: The Mayo Clinic Population-Based Study of Ageing', highlighted a potential reduction in risk of memory loss associated with activities such as reading magazines, playing games, participating in computer activities and doing craft activities.

Alzheimer's Society comment:

'One million people will develop dementia in the next 10 years so there is a desperate need to find ways to prevent dementia. Exercising and challenging your brain - by learning new skills, doing puzzles such as crosswords, and even learning a new language - can be fun. However, more research, where people are followed up over time, is needed to understand whether these sorts of activities can reduce the risk of dementia.

There is stronger evidence to show that eating a healthy diet, taking plenty of exercise and getting your blood pressure and cholesterol levels regularly checked can lower your risk of dementia.'

Sarah Day
Head of Public Health
Alzheimer's Society