Lauran Neergaard is an Associated Press medical writer who covers research on brain health, infectious diseases, organ transplantation and more. She is based in Washington, D.C. She recently published a piece examining how we can keep our brains healthy throughout our lives.
Neergaard explains that keeping the brain healthy involves more than simply doing “brain games.” Research suggests that lifelong cognitively stimulating activities—such as reading, writing, learning languages, playing strategy games, solving puzzles, or engaging in cultural activities—can help maintain cognitive function and may lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. These activities “stretch” different cognitive systems and build what researchers call cognitive enrichment across the lifespan. Importantly, experts note that it’s never too late to start; middle age and later life still offer meaningful opportunities to strengthen brain health through mentally engaging hobbies, learning new skills, and maintaining curiosity about the world.
Key recommendations for supporting brain health include:
- Engage regularly in mentally stimulating activities (reading, puzzles, writing, chess, etc.).
- Continue learning throughout life, such as studying a language or picking up a new skill.
- Participate in intellectually enriching hobbies like music, birdwatching, or museum visits.
- Seek activities that challenge different thinking abilities, not just memory.
- Maintain cognitive engagement from early life through older adulthood when possible.
- Remember that starting later in life can still be beneficial for cognitive health.
If you’d like to explore the research and examples in more detail, you can read the full article here: https://apnews.com/article/brain-games-dementia-alzheimers-cognition-e4ceb3b4dda84977083d1fc9fbb25ba7