Long-Term Study Shows Protective Benefits
A major new study suggests that playing a specific type of brain training game may help protect the brain against dementia for up to two decades. Experts call this the strongest evidence yet that cognitive exercises can create long-lasting changes in the brain.
“It’s very surprising. It’s not what I would have expected,” said Marilyn Albert, director of the Johns Hopkins Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.
The research, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions, followed participants in the ACTIVE trial, a long-term study of nearly 3,000 adults aged 65 and older.
Speed Training Shows Lasting Effects
Participants who completed up to 23 hours of “speed training” over three years had a 25% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s or other dementias over a 20-year follow-up. Those who didn’t continue with booster sessions didn’t see the same benefit.
The study tracked medical records through Medicare to identify dementia diagnoses. It included various types of dementia, like Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.
Dr. Richard Isaacson, a preventive neurologist, said, “Small amounts of effort can pay dividends for decades to come.”
How the Training Worked
The ACTIVE study divided participants into speed training, memory training, reasoning training, and a control group. Speed training focused on processing visual information quickly and making fast decisions, similar to tasks required while driving.
Memory training taught strategies for remembering word lists and story details. Reasoning training focused on identifying patterns in letters or numbers. Only speed training showed a protective effect.
Experts suggest this is because speed training relies on implicit learning, which rewires the brain in ways that last even without ongoing practice. Memory and reasoning training involve explicit learning, which appears less durable over decades.
Neuroplasticity and Cognitive Reserve
Speed training may promote neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt and form new connections. It may also boost cognitive reserve, helping the brain resist the effects of dementia over time.
Dr. Kellyann Niotis explains that this type of training engages broader brain networks, increasing resilience. Adaptive difficulty in the training may also have contributed to its effectiveness.
Recommendations and Next Steps
The speed training program used in the study, originally developed by Karlene Ball and Daniel Roenker, is now available through BrainHQ as the “Double Decision” exercise. Experts currently recommend it for adults over 65 but suggest younger adults might benefit as well.
While promising, experts caution that dementia is complex and there’s no single solution. Maintaining brain health also involves managing blood pressure, cholesterol, vision and hearing, exercise, mental stimulation, and possibly vaccines like shingles.
