Is your stroke doctor telling you about this to prevent your 33% dementia chance post-stroke from an Australian study?
http://dgnews.docguide.com/mental-physical-activity-middle-age-protects-against-dementia-later-life?
Participation in activities that promote mental activity, and
moderate physical activity in middle age, may help protect against the
development of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in later life, according
to a study presented at the 2014 Alzheimer’s Association International
Conference (AAIC).
Stephanie Schultz, Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute and the Wisconsin
Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Madison, Wisconsin, and colleagues
reported on the results of a study of 329 cognitively normal middle-aged
adults (mean age, 60.3 years; 69% women) enrolled in the Wisconsin
Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention.
Of the participants, 40% were positive for the APOe4 gene and 74% had a parental family history of Alzheimer’s.
These at-risk adults reported their current engagement in
cognitively-stimulating activities using the Cognitive Activity Scale
(CAS), underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and completed a
comprehensive battery of neurocognitive tests.
The CAS consists of 10 items that ask individuals how often they
participate in various cognitive activities, such as reading books and
going to museums. The scientists focused on CAS-Games, which is a single
item on the scale that asks participants how often they play games such
as cards, checkers, crosswords or other puzzles.
After controlling for factors known to influence brain volume and
cognitive test scores, such as age and gender, the researchers found
that a higher self-reported frequency of game playing was significantly
associated with greater brain volume in several regions involved in
Alzheimer’s disease (such as the hippocampus) and with higher cognitive
test scores on memory and executive function.
“Our findings suggest that, for some individuals, engagement in
cognitively stimulating activities, especially those involving games
such as puzzles and cards, might be a useful approach for preserving
brain structures and cognitive functions that are vulnerable to
Alzheimer’s disease,” said Schultz. “More detailed studies of specific
cognitive activities, including games, would help further our
understanding of how an active, healthy lifestyle may help delay the
development of Alzheimer’s.”
More at link.
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