Does stimulating my brain as aging persist sharply?

Q: I have heard that keeping my brain in verbal games, crosswords, reading and other activities will aid prevent memory loss as aging. Is it true? Are some actions better than others?

When Jennifer O’Brien, a psychologist who studies to prevent Alzheimer’s disease at the University of South Florida, gives public lectures, says that he often asks whether actions such as crosswords such as crosswords or verbal games will stop from the age of cognitive fall.

“This is the question No. 1,” she said. “There is such a ubiquitous, widespread belief that if I am this type of game, it will aid me as aging.”

True, she and other experts said, is more complicated. Learning whether specific brain actions are helpful or some are more effective than others, is confined and hard to assess, and other aspects of your life can be more critical.

But some types of cerebral activities can potentially strengthen your cognitive skills as aging.

What science suggests

Very few studies have been carried out on whether a specific brain stimulating activity, such as puzzle or word game itself, can affect memory loss. And the research we have is hard to interpret.

“This is a really hard question to answer the science we had so far,” said Dr. O’Brien.

Several studies To have summarizedHowever, the fact that people who regularly engage in cognitive activities in general are less often experiencing memory loss compared to people who do not do it. Usually, these analyzes include many types of mental activities, including reading, playing board games, writing and creating craftsmanship.

Because these assessments are so wide, it is hard to say whether a given activity is “better” than others, “such as reading, playing an instrument, taking part in a course or even a care of orchids in the garden,” said Joyce Gomes-Osman, a physiotherapist and neuronaukist at the University of Miami.

Most research is also correlation, which means that they can find connections between cognitive activities and memory benefits, but they cannot prove that the actions themselves result in these benefits. Dr. O’Brien said that people who decide to stimulate the brain of activities such as word games, reading and writing may be less susceptible to memory loss for other reasons. Maybe they are richer, experience less stress or exercise more often.

And many of these studies ask people to remember the activities they have carried out in the past. Dr. O’Brien said that these reports can not always be exact, especially if they are made in the elderly.

Choosing the right activity

As people aged, their episodic memory – the ability to remember previous events and experiences – tends to disappear, but their semantic memory – the ability to remember words, concepts and numbers – usually still strengthens.

By deciding which cognitive activity can be the most helpful for you, think about activities related to the skills with which you have problems, said Dr. Gomes-Osman. For example, if you are struggling with visual or spatial skills, you can try Puzzles related to the shape like a tanks. If you want to improve your motor skills, you can try outplepoint.

But it is critical to do classes you like, said Dr. Gomes-Osman. Our brain will most likely improve in response to actions that are “critical to you”, she said and which ensure satisfaction. It is about adapting cognitive challenges to your needs and interests.

Great picture

Experts say that when thinking about strategies for preventing age -related memory, enlarge and consider other factors that can play a role.

In 2024, the Lancet Commission for Prevention of Dementia, Intervention and Care, a group of experts who periodically review evidence and issuing recommendations for preventing and managing dementia, estimated that 45 percent of dementia cases You can potentially prevent 14 key risk factors by treating. These factors include physical inaction, obesity, high blood pressure, hearing loss, social insulation and depression.

Because so many aspects of your lifestyle shapes the risk of memory loss, experts usually do not recommend a single brain strengthening approach. Instead, try to combine them with different approaches, “such as physical exercises, social commitment and a well diet,” said Dr. Greg Cooper, neurologist and director of the Remembrance Center at Norton Neuroscience Institute in Louisville, Ky.

Despite this, if you love specific actions, such as creating craftsmanship or a crossword puzzle, there is certainly no reason to stop doing them, said Dr. O’Brien. Although learning is not clear, the fact that they bring you joy and maintain commitment can raise your cognitive and emotional health. And if the puzzles lead you to make contact with others – maybe you call your friends when you want to answer particularly hard WPDLE or need aid with exceeding – that social contact will be good for you.

“I don’t really see any costs,” said Dr. O’Brien. “If you like it, why not?”