A simple computer-based brain-training exercise could potentially reduce the risk of developing dementia by twenty-five percent, new research suggests. While many apps claim to fight cognitive decline, few studies provide the high-quality, long-term evidence found in this trial.
Researchers launched this randomised controlled trial in the late nineties, enrolling more than twenty-eight hundred people aged sixty-five plus. The participants were assigned to three different training groups—speed, memory, or reasoning—or a control group used for comparison. Each participant completed less than twenty-four hours of total training, including several booster sessions one and three years later.
After twenty years of follow-up, Medicare records showed that only the speed-training group experienced a significant reduction in dementia. Marilyn Albert from Johns Hopkins University stated that speed training was disproportionately beneficial compared to memory or reasoning exercises.
This specific exercise involves clicking on cars and road signs that pop up in different areas of a computer screen. Scientists assume this training improves connectivity in the brain, although they still need to discover the exact biological mechanism involved. Reducing dementia cases by twenty-five percent could potentially save the United States one hundred billion dollars in patient care.
Scientific Experts Urge Caution
However, outside researchers expressed significant caution when interpreting these results because the study has several specific and substantial limitations. Rachel Richardson from the Cochrane Collaboration noted that the margins of error range from five percent to forty-one percent. Consequently, the actual impact might not be as impressive as the headline figure of twenty-five percent suggests to readers.
Additionally, the study excluded people with poor vision or hearing, which means the results may not represent everyone. Baptiste Leurent from University College London added that further research is needed to demonstrate the intervention’s overall clinical effectiveness.
Global Impact of Dementia
Dementia remains a massive global health challenge, affecting fifty-seven million people and ranking as a leading cause of death. This study represents the first time a gold-standard trial has provided a clear idea of how to reduce risk. Marilyn Albert emphasised that these findings are extraordinarily important for the future of patient care and cognitive health research.
Nonetheless, the results only apply to this specific speed exercise and do not validate other brain-training games or apps. Future studies will hopefully build upon these findings to create even more effective cognitive interventions for the ageing population.
Key Facts About the Study
Study Type: Randomised controlled trial involving over 2,800 participants aged 65 or older.
Total Training Time: Participants completed fewer than 24 hours of training over a period of three years.
The Winner: Speed training was the only method that showed a statistically significant reduction in long-term dementia risk.
The Task: A computer exercise where users must identify cars and road signs appearing quickly on the screen.
Potential Savings: Implementing successful training could save approximately $100 billion in US healthcare costs for dementia patients.
Q&A Section
Q: Which type of brain training was most effective at reducing dementia risk?
Speed training was the only exercise that showed a significant twenty-five percent reduction in risk over twenty years.
Q: How many hours of training did the participants actually complete?
Participants completed less than twenty-four hours of training, including initial sessions and boosters at one and three years.
Q: Do these results mean that all brain-training apps work?
No, these findings apply only to the specific speed-training exercise used in the study, not other commercial games.
FAQ
What is speed training in this context?
It is a computer exercise requiring participants to click on cars and road signs that appear in various screen locations.
Why are some scientists sceptical of the 25% figure?
Experts point to a wide margin of error and the exclusion of people with vision or hearing impairments during study.
Who conducted the study?
The research featured co-author Marilyn Albert of Johns Hopkins University and was published in an Alzheimer’s and dementia journal.
How many people globally are affected by dementia?
According to the World Health Organization, dementia affects fifty-seven million people and is a leading cause of death worldwide.
Can I use this to prevent Alzheimer’s today?
While the results are promising, experts say more research is needed to determine if this training is a definitive prevention.
