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Dementia is usually attributed to plaque buildup in your brain.<\/p>\nDementia is usually attributed to plaque buildup in your brain.<\/p>\n
But there\u2019s something that has scientists confused: Some people have lots of plaque and no signs of dementia, whereas others have hardly any and suffer full-blown dementia.<\/p>\n
So, what is the hidden factor that determines whether your brain plaque causes dementia?<\/p>\n
It turns out to be a simple lifestyle factor, according to a new study published in the journal Neurology<\/em>.<\/p>\n And the best part is that you can make these lifestyle changes right now, right this minute!<\/p>\n In this study, researchers used data collected by the longitudinal MRC National Survey of Health and Development. The 1,184 subjects were British people born in 1946. They were followed across their lifespans.<\/p>\n A range of measures was taken over the course of the study:<\/p>\n 2.\tTheir education level by age 26. Their participation in challenging recreational activities by age 43. And their occupation through their adult lives up to age 53. These three were taken together as a cognitive reserve index<\/p>\n 3.\tA reading test at age 53 to measure knowledge acquisition outside of education and occupation<\/p>\n 4.\tA cognitive test at age 69\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n The researchers\u2019 aim was to see whether the results of the measures taken between ages 8 and 53 made a difference in the subjects\u2019 scores on the cognitive test at age 69.<\/p>\n The maximum possible score on this final cognitive test was 100. On average, participants scored 92, with the highest score being 100 and the lowest score being 53.<\/p>\n They found approximately what they expected. Those who scored higher on the childhood cognitive test, the cognitive reserve index, and the reading test also performed better on the cognitive test at age 69.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s look at some specific numbers:<\/p>\n 2.\tEvery additional point on the cognitive reserve index was associated with a 0.07 improvement on the old-age cognitive test. <\/p>\n 3.\tEvery additional point on the reading ability test was associated with a 0.22 improvement on the old-age cognitive test.<\/p>\n 4.\tPeople with a bachelor\u2019s degree or higher scored 1.22 points higher.<\/p>\n 5.\tThose who participated in six enriching recreational activities, such as reading clubs and general knowledge quizzes, scored 1.53 points higher.<\/p>\n 6.\tThose in professional occupations scored 1.5 points higher.\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n The most promising finding was that regardless of participants\u2019 cognitive abilities at age 8, those with higher cognitive reserves and stronger reading abilities did not decline as fast as they aged. This means that while genetics might be important, lifestyle is also extremely important.<\/p>\n Therefore, to prevent dementia, it is helpful to obtain a higher education, develop a lifelong reading habit, perform a job that requires thinking and memory, and engage in lots of enriching recreational activities.<\/p>\n In short, you need to use and challenge your brain throughout your life!<\/p>\n\n
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