Baltimore, Maryland — A recent study indicates that a specific type of cognitive training could significantly reduce the risk of dementia for up to 20 years. This finding stems from a long-term investigation involving older adults who participated in an experiment designed to enhance brain processing speed during the 1990s.
The study, which included 2,802 participants, assessed the outcomes of those who engaged in eight to ten hourlong sessions of cognitive speed training, supplemented by at least one additional session. Results revealed that individuals who partook in this training exhibited a 25% lower incidence of dementia over the following two decades.
Marilyn Albert, a neurology professor at Johns Hopkins University and co-author of the study, expressed enthusiasm for the findings. “This research provides compelling evidence that proactive measures can help lower dementia risk,” she noted. Jennifer O’Brien, an associate professor of psychology at the University of South Florida, emphasized the significance of these prolonged effects, noting, “It’s remarkable to see this impact hold after such a lengthy period.”
This study, published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions, brings hope to individuals like George Kovach, a 74-year-old participant who began cognitive speed training a decade ago. Despite initial challenges, Kovach has completed over 1,300 exercises through an online platform called BrainHQ, which offers similar training experiences. “These exercises are tough, but you definitely improve with practice,” he remarked.
The research utilized Medicare records to track participant outcomes from the ACTIVE study, a controlled trial initiated in 1998. While the ACTIVE study examined various cognitive training approaches, it was the speed training that indicated a clear protective effect against dementia.
This training method may stimulate implicit learning, a form of skill acquisition related to activities performed automatically, such as riding a bike. Albert highlighted this distinction, explaining that implicit learning engages different brain processes that yield enduring benefits. Neuroscientist Henry Mahncke, CEO of the company behind BrainHQ, explained that users tackle speed exercises which challenge their ability to identify images shown fleetingly on a screen, ultimately improving their cognitive capacity.
The study’s findings raise questions about the potential for enhanced outcomes through extended training. Mahncke pointed out an ongoing NIH-funded research initiative, the Preventing Alzheimer’s with Cognitive Training (PACT) study, which has enrolled roughly 7,500 participants aged 65 and older. This study is designed to assess the effects of a more substantial training regimen involving 45 sessions over several years.
While many researchers predict that longer training sessions may yield even greater benefits, O’Brien reassured that even a modest commitment to cognitive speed training can produce noticeable improvements. She advised that participants might find satisfaction in achieving adequate training before considering any further activities. Results from the PACT study are expected by 2028, potentially offering more insight into the relationship between cognitive training duration and dementia prevention.