Mental stimulation may reduce dementia risk

Higher participation in mentally stimulating activities is associated with better cognitive function and reduced risk of cognitive decline and dementia.  Those with a history of higher education, mentally demanding occupations or participation in mentally challenging leisure activities are consistently found to have a lower risk of developing dementia.  Mental activity is likely to contribute to brain reserve, providing increased capacity to maintain normal cognitive function in the face of neurodegenerative disease.  This may reduce the risk or delay the onset of dementia.

The following pages describe the current evidence that suggests mental activity is important for reducing dementia risk and provide links to resources for health professionals and resources for patients.

Mental activity evidence – what’s the evidence that mental stimulation reduces dementia risk?

Clinical resources for mental activity – resources for health professionals to help patients increase their mental activity

Mental activity resources for patients – links to ideas and resources for patients to be more mentally active