William Atkins
Tuesday, 26 May 2009 19:00
Science -
Health
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A U.S. research study has found that memory activities that involve social interaction, such as the game of bridge, help people 90 years and older to stay sharp. Diet and exercise, the researchers found, doesn’t help. Who’s ready to shuffle the cards?
Researchers at the University of Southern California (Irving) started the health-and-memory study in 1981, and 2004 for people living in the Clinic for Aging Research and Education (CARE).
It is called
The 90+ Study, and has involved over 14,000 people who are 65 years or older and over 1,000 people who are 90 years or older.
The researchers involved in the 90+ Study take blood tests, test memories, track daily activities, and perform other analyses to determine how these oldsters stay alert and free from memory problems.
The study centers around the CARE retirement community of Laguna Woods, which is located south of Los Angeles, California.
American neurologist
Claudia Kawas, one of the authors of the study, talks about these people who are 90 years or older and still have sharp memories.
Dr. Kawas says,
"These are the most successful agers on Earth, and they're only just beginning to teach us what's important, in their genes, in their routines, in their lives. We think, for example, that it's very important to use your brain, to keep challenging your mind, but all mental activities may not be equal. We're seeing some evidence that a social component may be crucial." [The New York Times: “
Card sharps: Bridge club holds clues to lucid aging”]
The USC study has shown that spending three hours or more each day in mental activities that involve social interaction, may reduce the risk of developing dementia.
The study also found that one in 600 people live to be 90 years or older. Of these 90-somethings, 40% of the men have dementia and 60% of the women have dementia.
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