Scientists have long advocated that keeping our brain stimulated can help preserve an individual’s mental abilities well into old age – and potentially lower the risk for dementia.
Now a new study by researchers at Columbia University in New York and published in the journal NEJM Evidence has demonstrated the significant efficacy of doing word games such as crosswords in a group of older people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
In a two-site, single-blinded, 78-week trial the 107 participants, who had an average age of 71 and some degree of MCI (which increases the risk of dementia), were randomly assigned to do either intensive home-based crossword puzzle training (56 participants) or intensive cognitive games training (51 participants on a computer for 12 weeks, and then continued with booster sessions to 78 weeks.
At 78 weeks, participants doing daily crossword puzzles had improved both their primary cognitive outcome measure and a measure of daily functioning significantly more than participants attempting cognitive games.
In addition, brain shrinkage (change in hippocampal volume and cortical thickness measured using MRI) was less in those who did the crossword training. Consultant neuroradiologist Dr Emer MacSweeney told medicalnewstoday.com: ‘It has been shown that, as a population, we can reduce the risk of cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s by adhering to healthy lifestyle habits including exercise, diet (Mediterranean diet high in fish oils) and high levels of mental and social activity. The brain needs to be exercised just like our bodies to stay in good condition.’
Professor Miriam Weber, clinical neuropsychologist and at New York’s University of Rochester added: ‘Engaging in cognitively stimulating activities is beneficial. It is not only our body that benefits from exercise; keeping the brain exercised can help preserve your mental abilities well into older age.’
