This Is the Only Brain Game That Actually Lowers Dementia Risk, Study Finds

Key Points:

• A 20-year study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia found that playing a specific free online speed-training video game, combined with booster sessions, reduced the risk of dementia by 25% in adults aged 65 and older compared to no cognitive training.
• The speed-training game involved quickly identifying objects on a screen and making decisions, with participants completing up to 10 sessions over five weeks and additional booster sessions over three years to reinforce learning.
• Other cognitive training methods like memory and reasoning exercises did not show similar protective effects against dementia, suggesting that increased processing speed may be particularly beneficial for certain types of dementia.
• Experts caution that while the findings are promising, more research with larger and diverse populations is needed to confirm the results and understand the mechanisms behind the protective effects of such brain games.
• Besides brain games, maintaining cognitive health may also be supported by engaging in new learning activities, reading, listening to music, physical exercise, and managing health conditions such as high blood pressure.