Studies have found that early signs of dementia can be reversed by good social life.
- People who spend time face-to-face with friends and family, attend classes, volunteer, or participate in religious services may see brain function return to normal.
- This can happen even if it started to get worse a few years ago. This is good news for those who have lost their memory and processing power during the blockade.
- Ming Wen, a senior researcher at the University of Utah in the United States, said he was delighted and surprised by the findings.
Better social life can reverse memory problems in people with early signs dementiaStudies suggest.
People who spend face-to-face with friends and family, attend classes and groups, volunteer, and participate in religious service may see brain function return to normal.
This can happen even if it started to get worse a few years ago. This is good news for those with poor memory and processing skills. Blockade..
Researchers analyzed the brain function, lifestyle, and social life of approximately 2,200 Americans aged 62 to 90 years, including 972 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (often a precursor to dementia).
Studies suggest that better social life may reverse memory problems in people with early signs of dementia. People who spend face-to-face with friends and family, attend classes and groups, volunteer, and participate in religious service may see brain function return to normal. (File photo)
Five years later, they found that 22% of MCI participants had improved to the extent that brain function was considered normal.
An additional 12% had dementia and 66% remained the same. Those with a high level of social activity were most likely to have improved.
Ming Wen, a senior researcher at the University of Utah in the United States, said he was delighted and surprised by the findings.
“Most people will think this is a one-way direction. When cognitive impairment occurs, there is no way back,” she said after presenting her study at the British Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease in Brighton this week. Said.
“But even if you had cognitive impairment five years ago, if you actively participate in social interactions such as volunteering, meeting friends, socializing, and participating in religious service, some of these people will It’s getting better, it’s normal again, and it’s really exciting. “
Studies suggest that increasing social activity only once a year can increase the chances of reversing brain weakness by up to 41%.
Researchers analyzed the brain function, lifestyle, and social life of approximately 2,200 Americans aged 62 to 90 years, including 972 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (often a precursor to dementia). (File photo)
“It’s better than nothing,” added Professor Wen. However, the more regular activities that involve people, the stronger the effect.
Having a close social relationship was also associated with a protective effect against the development of complete dementia, but did not appear to be associated with increasing the likelihood of reversing MCI.
The study considered exercise levels such as whether participants smoked or drank, worked, age, gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic background.
It was unclear whether people with improved brain health increased or maintained levels of social activity over a five-year period due to the way the study was conducted.
The study has not yet been published and has not been peer-reviewed.
Dr. Susan Kohlhaas, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said of the study:Act … Further research is needed to dig deeper [the study’s] Survey results. “
Studies show that making some simple switches to a better diet may also help prevent dementia.
According to a study by the University of East Anglia, also published, eating “a healthy British diet with some extras, such as increasing nuts, beans and legumes and using olive oil for cooking,” Memory and brain function may improve within 6 months at Alzheimer’s UK Research Conference.
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