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In the UK, 850,000 people have dementia, according to the Alzheimer Society. That number is expected to increase to more than one million by 2025, before doubling to two million by 2051. About 225,000 people will develop dementia this year, one every three minutes. Brain disease is still not cured, but health experts recommend lifestyle modifications to reduce the risk of developing it.
A method advocated by some to prevent cognitive decline and reduce the risk of brain diseases such as dementia is the practice of "brain training".
Brain training includes participating in activities to challenge the brain, such as crossword puzzles and Sudoku puzzles.
Reading and learning a new language are also ways to train the brain, while some companies sell specialized computer games that aim to exercise the brain.
But can brain training really prevent dementia?
According to the Alzheimer Society, some studies have shown that cognitive training can improve certain aspects of memory and thinking, especially in middle-aged and older people.
However, no study has shown that brain formation actually prevents dementia.
The Alzheimer Society notes, however, that brain training is a relatively new area of research and that most studies are too small and too short to test any effect of brain training on the development of cognitive decline or dementia.
"Evidence suggests that brain training can help seniors better manage their daily tasks, but longer-term studies are needed to understand the potential effect of these activities on the risk of developing dementia," he said. the Alzheimer Society.
"The idea of brain training is based on the concept of" using or losing it ". Popular theory is that the more you regularly challenge your brain, the less likely you are to suffer from cognitive impairment or dementia in your later years. "
The dementia expert explains that this theory is based on an observation made by the fact that people with complex jobs or regularly participating in activities such as crossword puzzles, puzzles or learning new hobbies all throughout life appear to have lower rates of dementia.
The results of several observational studies have shown that people who engage in "cognitive stimulation" activities may have a lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
"However, this type of study can tell us that brain training activities are directly responsible for lowering dementia rates," said the Alzheimer Society.
Another recent study badyzed the results of 51 interventional studies and found that brain training can lead to a slight improvement in thinking and memory in the elderly.
However, the badysis also revealed that thought and memory were not improved in the elderly who used unattended brain training.
Another study, funded by the Alzheimer Society, which tested computer-based brain training, showed improvements in reasoning and word memorization after six months in people over 50 years of age.
People over 60 years old who participated in the study reported an improvement in their ability to carry out their daily activities, such as household budget management, meal preparation, shopping and shopping. navigation on public transport.
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