Neuropsychologist Andrea Zammitt explained that the study covered different stages of the participants' lives, starting from childhood and extending to old age. Both environmental conditions and types of activities that promote brain activation were taken into account.
During surveys conducted at ages 12, 40, and currently, participants shared their habits related to reading books, visiting libraries and museums, learning foreign languages, and working with dictionaries, as well as other activities that required text and language processing.
The results showed that individuals with a high level of cognitive enrichment had a 38% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, and a 36% lower likelihood of mild cognitive impairment compared to those with low levels. On average, for such individuals, Alzheimer's disease was delayed by five years, and mild cognitive impairment by seven years.
Additionally, an analysis of brain tissue from deceased participants in the study demonstrated that increased intellectual activity in childhood is associated with greater resilience to the accumulation of pathological proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease.
The authors of the study emphasize that continuous mental activity throughout life can significantly contribute to the preservation of cognitive functions. They also highlight the need to improve access to libraries, educational programs, and other resources that foster interest in learning and reading from an early age.
