Read More, Stay Sentient Longer

From the Nov/Dec 2009 edition of BBC Knowledge magazine.

We Can Work It Out

A regular mental workout can delay the rapid decline in memory caused by dementia. In a study published in the journal Neurology, nearly 500 people aged 75-85 were tracked for several years. Those who took part in 11 brain-engaging activities per week, like reading and doing crossword puzzles, delayed a rapid decline in their memory by an average of 1.29 years compared to those who engaged in only four. The results were still valid even when the researchers factored in the education level of the study's participants.