The Guardian, citing research conducted by scientists at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, reports that reading, writing, and language learning can reduce the risk of dementia by almost 40%.
At the beginning of the study, the researchers observed 1,939 80-year-old people who were free from dementia for eight years. Participants completed questionnaires about their cognitive activity and educational resources. For example, respondents were asked whether they read books in childhood, learned foreign languages, and continue to read and write today.
During the study, 551 respondents had Alzheimer's disease, and 719 had mild cognitive impairment. The results were published in the journal Neurology. Among people with a high level of cognitive enrichment, 21% suffered from Alzheimer's disease, while among people with a low cognitive workload, this figure was 34%. In addition, the disease developed on average at 94 years in the first group and at 88 years in the second group.
The researchers also examined the participants who did not survive to the end of the study. It was noted that those who had more achievements had better memory and thinking ability, and these skills decreased more slowly before death.
"The results show that regular participation in stimulating and intellectually stimulating activities can be beneficial for cognitive function. Government investments in expanding access to enrichment environments, such as libraries and early learning programs designed to foster a love for lifelong learning, can reduce the prevalence of dementia," says Andrea Zammit, co-author of the study.
According to The Guardian, dementia is currently one of the most serious health threats worldwide. Scientists predict that by 2050, the number of people with dementia will triple, exceeding 150 million worldwide. Experts note that this poses a serious and rapidly growing threat to future healthcare and social assistance systems, and this problem affects every country.
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