A new study says that there is no evidence to support the theory that brain exercise programmes delay or slow progression of Alzheimer’s disease in elderly people. If older people choose a brain-training exercise instead of an hour of physical activity, they are more likely to develop the condition than those who prefer to exercise.

 

Furthermore, the researchers warn that such games may do more harm than good for elderly people, but say that more research is needed to analyze the long-term impact of brain training games.

 

A second study on Alzheimer’s disease demonstrates that brain scans may prove to be a useful tool in identifying which patients with mild cognitive impairment are likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease later in life.

 

More than 5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and 3.5 million are diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. The condition affects one in 20 people with ages ranging from 65 to 74 and almost half of those over 85 are diagnosed with dementia. Dementia is one of the main causes of disability in older people, ahead of cardiovascular disease and some cancers. The most commonly symptom is memory loss, as well as difficulty to remember recently learned facts.

 

The number of people who suffer from memory loss is predicted to quadruple worldwide over the next half century.

Simple steps, like eating a diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, taking regular exercise and checking your cholesterol level could have more beneficial effects on your physical and mental health than any other methods.