London - Using a computer as you age may help keep your memory intact, experts found.
Scientists have linked numerous activities with preserving brain power in the elderly – but logging on seems particularly effective.
The American study found that those who used a computer at least once a week were 42 percent less likely than those who didn’t to develop mild cognitive impairment, which is often a warning sign for dementia.
By comparison, reading magazines saw the likelihood reduced by 30 percent, attending social events by 23 percent and crafts such as knitting by 16 percent.
The findings come from a team at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona, who spent four years tracking nearly 2 000 people over 70. Study leader Dr Janina Krell-Roesch, who will present to the American Academy of Neurology meeting in Vancouver next month, said: “The results show the importance of keeping the mind active as we age.”
She added that the study only shows an association, not cause and effect. However Dr Clare Walton, of the Alzheimer’s Society, said the findings “should be encouraging to today’s generation of silver surfers”.
Daily Mail