Reading, writing, studying...these lifelong activities can slow age-related mental changes, study of 2,000 seniors shows - Science & Technology

Developing general intelligence throughout life is associated with a reduced risk of age-related dementia.

A study of 2,000 older adults shows that lifelong activities like reading, writing, and studying can delay age-related dementia.

Reading, writing, learning a language or visiting cultural sites throughout life will be associated with a significant reduction in age-related cognitive impairment.These data reinforce the idea that an intellectually stimulating environment is a concrete lever to delay neurodegenerative symptoms.

An aging population is placing dementia at the center of global health priorities.Demographic projections predict a steady rise in the number of cases over the coming decades, with enormous human and economic consequences.Faced with a lack of treatments for Alzheimer's disease, research is focusing on modifiable risk factors and prevention.The study, conducted by researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, including Andrea Zimet, sheds light on the role of intellectual functioning across the lifespan.

It was published in the scientific journal Neurology, an organ of the American Academy of Neurology, this work looked at around 2,000 elderly people who were followed for several years.The results establish a link between normal cognitive stimulation and the reduction of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease.

A group of adults was followed for nearly 10 years

Researchers at Rush University Medical Center analyzed data from 1,939 volunteers who did not have dementia at the time of admission.The average age was about 80. All participated in a longitudinal program on brain aging.The teams followed these people for an average of about eight years with regular and standardized clinical assessments.

Participants completed detailed questionnaires to find out their thinking habits at different stages of their lives.Researchers know the condition of children, parents and adults.They studied the time spent reading, looking at family books, the time spent learning a foreign language, as well as consulting newspapers or books.

In middle age, the analysis focuses on the possession of library cards, subscriptions to newspapers or visits to museums.At older ages, scientists have measured the accuracy of reading, writing and certain games that require memory.

The authors then made a general enrichment point, dividing the participants according to the time of exposure.This classification made it possible to compare mental health patterns according to the depth of mental stimulation.

Andrea Zammit said in a press release that the goal is to study "the wealth of consciousness from childhood to the end of life. This longitudinal approach offers a global view of cultural practices and education that goes beyond the analysis of the moment of existence."

Decreasing the balance in the risk of Alzheimer's disease

During follow-up, 457 participants developed Alzheimer's disease.The researchers compared the events according to the level of cognitive improvement.Individuals in the top decile had a 38% lower risk compared to the bottom decile.This reduction also applies to mild cognitive impairment, which is often considered an intermediate stage.Risk was reduced by 36% among mentally stimulated individuals, representing a strong link between intellectual engagement and cognitive potential.

The researchers also looked at the age of symptoms.People with the highest scores were diagnosed with Alzheimer's at about age 94 on average.Those in the youngest group were diagnosed at age 88.The gap has reached six years.In mild dementia, the observed difference reached seven years.The authors highlight that this time period represents a major public health challenge.In fact, delaying the onset of symptoms changes a person's path and can shorten the period of addiction.

The researchers took into account several factors that may influence the results, such as age, gender or level of education.These elements may be related to both intellectual habits and dementia risk.So that the statisticians did not distort the analysis, they adjusted their calculations to isolate as best as possible the specific effect of cognitive stimulation.After these adjustments, the association between intellectual engagement and reduced risk remains significant.This strengthens the credibility of the results, even if the study does not prove direct causation.

Cognitive reserve and interpretation of results

The authors interpret these data in light of the concept of cognitive reserve.This concept refers to the brain's ability to compensate for neuropathological lesions using more efficient or more flexible neural networks.Regular stimulation can enhance this adaptability.Andrea Zammit says that cognitive health in late life "is highly dependent on continued exposure to an intellectually stimulating environment."The researchers suggest that the accumulation of educational and cultural experiences promotes more durable neural connections.

However, the study establishes an association rather than a direct causal link.Participants reported their past activities based on personal memories.This collection method may introduce memory bias.People with better cognitive health may be able to recall their habits more accurately.

The authors also acknowledge that other unmeasured factors could influence the results.Socioeconomic level or access to educational resources may interact with intellectual stimulation.Despite these limitations, the consistency of the results with other work supports the biological plausibility of the phenomenon.Therefore, the study is part of a growing body of science that explores the modifiable factors of brain aging.

Importance for prevention

These results guide reflection towards accessible activities.Regular reading, writing, continuous learning or presence in cultural institutions appear as potential levers.Scientists emphasize the importance of stimulation distributed throughout life.

Childhood is an important time.Early exposure to books and educational resources can have a lasting impact on one's cognitive trajectory.Evidence shows that the benefits are not limited to academic performance.They are part of long-term brain health.

In adulthood, maintaining a variety of intellectual activities seems important.Access to libraries, educational programs and cultural facilities became a common problem.Public policy can play a role in reducing inequalities in access.

In adults, regular reading or writing is not a leisure activity.These practices can help maintain cognitive function.Although prevention does not guarantee the absence of disease, delaying symptoms can profoundly change the quality of life.

In the context of an aging demographic, these data support prevention strategies based on education and culture.It reminds us that brain health is built over decades.

Source: Andrea R. Zammit, et al., "Associations of Lifetime Cognitive Enrichment with Incident Alzheimer's Disease Dementia, Cognitive Aging, and Cognitive Resilience."Neurology.10 March 2026 Issue 106 (5) e214677