A major long-term study has found that a simple brain-training exercise can reduce the risk of dementia by roughly a quarter. Researchers followed more than 2,800 adults aged 65+ for up to 20 years, testing three types of cognitive training: speed, memory, and reasoning.
Only speed training, which involves reacting to cars and road signs on a screen, produced a lasting effect. Medicare data showed participants who completed the sessions had a 25% lower incidence of dementia.
“Finally, we have evidence of a practical way to reduce dementia risk,” said Marilyn Albert, co-author and Johns Hopkins professor. Experts say wider adoption of such training could save billions in care costs globally.
The exercise, called Double Decision, is available through the BrainHQ app, and researchers hope its success could inspire more effective interventions.
