Alzheimer's Research

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Neuroscientist Dr Gary Small, director of the centre for ageing at the University of California, says adopting a healthy lifestyle is an important way to minimize the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases.-7th Aug, 2002

Recently I came across a study wherein researchers, over a span of seven years, determined the frequency with which they participated in 13 common leisure activities which were classed as intellectual, physical or social. What about blogging? How should it be classed? It seems to have become a common leisure activity.
One point was awarded for each activity, and people scoring less than 6 points were categorized as having low leisure activity. So is it the number of leisure activity thats important or the amount?
They compared those who developed dementia with those who did not and observed that those people who had high leisure activities were 38% less likely to develop dementia.
Of all three categories intellectual activity bestowed the maximum benefit.
“Of the 1,772 people monitored, 207 developed dementia. Dr Yaakov Stern, who led the research, said: "Our study suggests that aspects of life experience supply a set of skills or repertoires that allow an individual to cope with progressing Alzheimer's disease pathology for a longer time before the disease becomes clinically apparent. – 25th Dec, 2001”


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