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> Failure to complete secondary education was a major risk factor, and the authors suggest that individuals who continue to learn throughout life are likely to
by ArlenBales 9y ago
> Failure to complete secondary education was a major risk factor, and the authors suggest that individuals who continue to learn throughout life are likely to build additional brain reserves.
Somewhat related, but I wonder how video games will affect this also. People from the 70s and up who grew up on video games, and continue to play them into their 30s and up, are engaging their brains more than older folks who probably watch a lot of TV. Especially daily playing of competitive or difficult games, like Overwatch or Dark Souls, that can tire you out mentally.
- leonroy 9y agoCannot agree more. As a major gamer in my teens and early twenties I stopped for 10 years and only just resumed. I found my hand and eye coordination for titles like Batman Arkham Knight and Spelunky were surprisingly bad and this is despite remaining relatively fit and active throughout the past decade. I think games as with any pastime when used judiciously can really be a benefit to the mind.
- QuercusMax 9y agoI've heard anecdotally that video games do a better job of keeping surgeons sharp than surgery simulation software. I wonder how much of this is just due to engagement -- video games are more compelling (and you can do them outside work hours).
- stenlix 9y agoI think this is a great point. Video games get a bad rep because they're a distraction for kids (which is mostly fair), but I think that it's a really good alternative to simply watching TV among the older population in terms of reducing dementia risk because it requires constant mental engagement and also some degree of learning to progress.
- malchow 9y agoOverwatch difficult? I can see Chess.com being a relevant "game" that builds reserves. But is Overwatch mentally draining in useful ways? It's a twitchy sort of game, and if you aren't doing team vox communication there isn't much strategy.
- ArlenBales 9y agoI could have worded that better, but my phrasing was meant to say that Overwatch is the competitive game and Dark Souls is the difficult one. Edit - To clarify, I think competitive games (like Overwatch) stimulate the brain just like playing a heated game of basketball stimulates the brain even though it's a physical activity. Competition makes you concentrate.
- AstralStorm 9y agoNo, they aren't near as effective. Your motor neurons don't get nearly as much workout. Not to mention s) real exercise tends to reduce later vascular or heart problems, which on the whole would reduce rates of strokes, thus dementia.