PALS CAN STAVE OFF DEMENTIA
Opening up may cut ‘brain age’
HAVING a close friend or relative you can really open up to could stave off dementia, research suggests.
A good listener to talk to was linked to having a “brain age” about four years younger.
Lead author Prof Joel Salinas, of New York University, said: “These four years can be incredibly precious.
“Too often we think about how to protect our brain health when we’re much older, after we’ve already lost a lot of time decades before to build and sustain brain-healthy habits.
“But today, right now, you can ask yourself if you truly have someone available to listen to you in a supportive way and ask your loved ones the same.
“Taking that simple action sets the process in motion for you to ultimately have better odds of longterm brain health and the best quality of life you can have.” Prof Salinas and his team looked at the MRI scans of 2,200 study participants aged in their 40s and 50s. The results suggested those who had a shoulder to lean on most or all of the time had greater brain health. They also indicated their risk of brain-related illnesses would also be reduced.