The more regularly people report doing word puzzles such as crosswords, the better their brain function in later life, a large-scale and robust online trial has found.
Orgasms Better for Brain Workout Than Crossword Puzzles
A new study suggests that having an orgasm does better work for brain workout than crossword puzzles.
A new study suggests that having an orgasm does better work for brain workout than crossword puzzles.
‘PROTECT is a 10 year study with participants being followed up annually to enable a better understanding of cognitive trajectories in this age range.’
The study, one of the largest of its kind, used tests from the CogTrackTM and PROTECT online cognitive test systems to assess core aspects of brain function. They found that the more regularly participants engaged with word puzzles, the better they performed on tasks assessing attention, reasoning and memory. From their results, researchers calculate that people who engage in word puzzles have brain function equivalent to ten years younger than their age, on tests of grammatical reasoning speed and short term memory accuracy.
Keith Wesnes, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Exeter Medical School, said: "We found direct relationships between the frequency of word puzzle use and the speed and accuracy of performance on nine cognitive tasks assessing a range of aspects of function including attention, reasoning and memory. Performance was consistently better in those who reported engaging in puzzles, and generally improved incrementally with the frequency of puzzle use. For example, on test measures of grammatical reasoning speed and short-term memory accuracy, performing word puzzles was associated with an age-related reduction of around 10 years. We now need to follow up this very exciting association in a clinical trial, to establish whether engaging in puzzles results in improvement in brain function."
Puzzles and Crosswords Can Halt Dementia Progression
A new study has revealed that simple day-to-day activities solving puzzles, gardening, making snacks and singing can go a long way in halting progression of dementia.
A new study has revealed that simple day-to-day activities solving puzzles, gardening, making snacks and singing can go a long way in halting progression of dementia.
Clive Ballard, Professor of Age-Related Diseases at the University of Exeter Medical School, said: "We know that many of the factors involved in dementia are preventable. It is essential that we find out what lifestyle factors really make a difference to helping people maintain healthy brains to stop the soaring rise of the disease. We can't yet say that crosswords give you a sharper brain - the next step is to assess whether encouraging people to start playing word games regularly could actually improve their brain function."
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Playing Online Puzzles Could Help Prevent Alzheimer's Disease
Playing crosswords and word search could help the brain stay active and thereby reduce the risk of getting Alzheimer's disease, say scientists.
Playing crosswords and word search could help the brain stay active and thereby reduce the risk of getting Alzheimer's disease, say scientists.
"This new research does reveal a link between word puzzles, like crosswords, and memory and thinking skills, but we can't say definitively that regular 'puzzling' improves these skills.
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Staying Mentally Active in Older Age Can Play a Role in Staving Off Dementia
Mentally stimulating activities such as word games, reading and using computers actually delayed the symptoms of dementia in people with APoE4 gene.
Mentally stimulating activities such as word games, reading and using computers actually delayed the symptoms of dementia in people with APoE4 gene.
"In the meantime our top tips to reduce the risk of developing dementia are keeping physically active, avoiding smoking and eating a healthy balanced diet."
Source-Eurekalert
