Speed-Based Cognitive Training With Booster Sessions Linked to Lower Dementia Risk Over 20 Years
A recent study has found that engaging in speed-based cognitive training with periodic booster sessions is associated with a lower risk of dementia over a 20-year period.
The Research
The study, reported by Patient Care Online, tracked participants for two decades to examine the long-term effects of cognitive training. While the specific researchers, institutions, and journals are not detailed in the source, the core finding is significant: a structured regimen of speed-based cognitive exercises, reinforced with booster sessions, showed a correlation with reduced dementia incidence.
This type of training typically involves tasks that require rapid visual processing and quick decision-making, challenging the brain's processing speed and attention. The inclusion of booster sessions suggests that maintaining the training over time may be a key factor in the observed association.
Why It Matters
For anyone interested in maintaining cognitive health, this finding underscores the potential value of targeted mental exercise. Processing speed is a fundamental cognitive ability, and training it may help keep neural pathways engaged and efficient. While this research does not claim to prevent disease, it adds to the evidence that an active, challenged brain is associated with better long-term cognitive outcomes. It highlights that consistency—through concepts like booster sessions—might be just as important as the initial training.
What You Can Do
If you're curious about your own cognitive abilities, consider exploring brain training exercises that focus on speed and reaction time. Many evidence-based platforms offer games and tasks designed to improve processing speed. The key takeaway is to find activities you enjoy and can stick with consistently over time, mirroring the study's approach of ongoing engagement.
Source: Google News: IQ & cognition
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