| Older people have long been seeking for a way to | | | | reviewed, well published data. It speaks for itself," Dr |
| prevent the onset of dementia, with methods | | | | Sorensen explained. |
| ranging from herbal remedies to computer games | | | | She added that people with private health insurance |
| claiming to help keep the brain healthy. However, | | | | can further boost their chances of avoiding |
| conditions such as Alzheimer's disease truly can be | | | | Alzheimer's and other forms of the condition by |
| put off by frequently training the brain and doing | | | | maintaining a normal weight, low cholesterol and low |
| mental exercises, a specialist has asserted. | | | | blood pressure in midlife. |
| Dr Susanne Sorensen, head of research at the | | | | The combination of this and regular brain activity |
| Alzheimer's Society, said there is a wealth of data to | | | | including a "whole range" of mental exercises is the |
| support the view that those with individual health | | | | key, she stated. |
| insurance can take preventative measures by | | | | According to the Alzheimer's Research Trust, 25 |
| keeping the grey matter active. | | | | million people in the UK know a close friend or family |
| She pointed to recent studies published in the Journal | | | | member with dementia, a total of almost 700,000 |
| of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, which | | | | sufferers. |
| suggested that people should consider modifying their | | | | This number is expected to double by the next |
| lifestyle in midlife to avoid developing dementia. | | | | generation unless something is done to combat the |
| This can include doing mental exercises such as | | | | associated risks, the expert advised. |
| crosswords and wordsearches, as well as quizzes | | | | "What you call mental activities - playing cards, |
| which test the memory and keep the brain | | | | crosswords, Sudoku, learning a foreign language - all |
| functioning as fully as possible, the researchers | | | | have some impact on reducing the risk or rather |
| stated. | | | | delaying the onset," Dr Sorensen suggested. |
| "It fits in with other research data. It is well | | | | |