An article published in a recent neurology study reveals that playing chess and tracing countries on a globe regularly can even delay Alzheimer’s by five years.
Scientists found that elderly people who were consistently mentally active and played stimulating games, such as chess and tracing maps, along with solving problems on their computer, demonstrated symptoms of Alzheimer’s at a significantly later time.
During the several years the experiment lasted, the scientists closely monitored hundreds of participants. They collected evidence as to the link between cognitive hobbies and memory deterioration. According to the article, people whose brains were consistently put to work with games, which involved spatial recall, strategy games, etc. Displayed remarkable cognitive resistance to mental deterioration.
The neurologists explained that activities such as chess involve the simultaneous activity of a range of brain sectors – including the areas responsible for memory, strategy planning, and the ability to recognise patterns. In the same way tracing the outlines of continents and countries on a globe, trains neural pathways used for remembering geographic locations and the layout of the earth.
These exercises were not stated to completely abolish the presence of Alzheimer’s. However, they could significantly prolong the manifestation of symptoms by up to five years. That period alone could significantly change the life of an individual, and reduce the amount of assistance they would need to rely on from others.
The neurologists working on the study stressed that mental stimulation is just as crucial as all the other recommended deterrents to mental deterioration, such as taking exercise regularly, eating a balanced diet, and maintaining a active social life. It adds to the vast amount of evidence, stating that throughout life, being constantly challenged intellectually will create a substantial “cognitive reserve”- the brain’s capacity to work even after it has been damaged.
In addition to the million plus people already affected worldwide, Alzheimer’s disease, the number of those afflicted will only continue to rise, which places an enormous strain on health services, due to the global population getting older. Early stages of the disease involve memory loss, mental confusion and difficulties performing simple daily tasks.
The neurologists warned that further long term experiments are necessary to fully uncover the full range of influences between cognitive functions and the progression of disease. Yet, regardless of the number of trials still to come, one thing is obvious; constantly exercising your brain through challenging games may give you the extra years you need before Alzheimer’s affects your life.
