Games, activities ‘good for brain health,’ study finds

Even in your 70s and beyond, simple activities including surfing the web, playing bridge and socializing can stave off mental decline, new research says.

Benefits were greatest in computer users and in those without a gene variation linked with Alzheimer’s disease. But even among seniors with that trait, mental decline that sometimes precedes dementia was less common among those who engaged in mind-stimulating activities.

The benefits were found from activities that many seniors have access to.

The study was published last week in the journal JAMA Neurology. But the researchers said the statistical link does not prove the activities were responsible.

Still, said Heather Snyder of the Alzheimer’s Association, the results support the idea that “being engaged mentally is good for brain health.”

The study looked at five types of activities that are thought to help keep the mind sharp: computer use, making crafts, playing games, socializing and reading books. The idea was to see if these activities could help prevent mild cognitive impairment.

That condition involves problems with memory, thinking and attention that don’t interfere much with daily life but which increase risks for developing Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.

Almost 2,000 Minnesota adults aged 70 to 93 without any memory problems participated in mental exams at the beginning and every 15 months for about four years. During that time, 456 study participants developed a mild impairment.

Analysis found a protective effect from each activity except for reading books. Study participants who engaged in any of the other activities at least once weekly were 20 percent to 30 percent less likely to develop the condition over the four years.