Playing computer games ‘can halve’ risk of Alzheimer’s
TRAINING the brain by playing online games can almost halve the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, according to new research.
The specially designed tasks challenge reasoning and memory skills and could have significant benefits for older people, say scientists.
A study of 2,785 elderly Americans found the computer brain-training technique cut the number of dementia cases by a third.
But this figure rose to 48 per cent for those who managed the most sessions.
The research presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Toronto, Canada, is the most conclusive to date that the technique works.
The Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly study tested several different types of brain training.
Participants, whose average age was 73, either received classroom-based memory and reasoning strategies or the computer-based training which challenged them on the speed of their brain processing skills.
It was only the latter that was successful. They had 10 hour-long training sessions conducted over five weeks, with some receiving booster sessions over the next three years.
They were trained on a specific task designed to improve the speed and accuracy of visual attention. The user identifies an object, such as a truck, at the centre of their gaze while at the same time identifying a car in the periphery.
All participants received cognitive tests at regular intervals up to 10 years when those in the computer-based brain training group had a 33 per cent reduction in cases of cognitive impairment or dementia compared to a control group.
Dr Doug Brown, of the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “There is widespread excitement about the potential of brain training to protect against dementia as it’s such an accessible and enjoyable tool, but so far long-term studies have been lacking.
“It’s important to note that not all the brain exercises tested in this study had a positive effect on the rate of dementia, reinforcing the fact that we cannot generalise the positive findings to all brain-training packages.”
Toronto-based scientists at the gathering also identified a number of lifestyle factors that could prevent people developing the condition, including higher levels of education and socialising.
Researchers from Baycrest Health Sciences found people, who led a “stimulating lifestyle”, did not have a lower cognitive performance and some scientists believe this could combat an unhealthy diet and lower the risk of developing dementia.
Dr Brown said: “This shouldn’t become an excuse to continue eating stodgy and sugary foods. Getting a balanced diet that’s low in red meat and high in fruit and veg is still one of the best ways to reduce your risk of dementia.”