Feb 21, 2009 8:05 pm US/Eastern
Hobbies May Slow Onset Of Dementia
While There's Still No Cure, There Are Things Seniors Can Do To Keep The Brain Active, Possibly Eliminate Onset
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Dementia: it's a heart-breaking change that affects an estimated 24 million people worldwide.
And while there's no cure, researchers say there may be ways to help prevent it. There are some hobbies that could be the key to delaying dementia, CBS station WCBS-TV reports.
It was a normal afternoon at the Stanley Isaacs Senior Center on the Upper East Side. Seniors were staying active, playing pool, scrabble, and chess -- all sorts of things.
"Well, we like checkers, and we like scrabble. I personally love to play pinnacle or bridge, but I can't find any partners," senior Kitty Wesley said.
They told WCBS that not only do they enjoy these activities; they may actually have a little ulterior motive in keeping their brains in gear.
"There's no doubt in my mind that in order to prevent from becoming senile you have to keep your mind active and do new -- I read somewhere recently that, the secret to preventing Alzheimer's was to acquire things that you were not used to doing," said 73-year-old Allan Rosteing.
It turns out Rosteing's theory may be right, according to a study from the Mayo Clinic presented at the American Academy of Neurology meetings this week.
"Basically, any intellectual activity that gets the brain going, not just simply sitting on, in front of a TV, is a good thing," said Dr. Mony Deleon of NYU Medical Center. "The brain activity increases, and with brain activity, clearance of brain by-products of metabolism increase, and as a consequence, you can actually maybe doing yourself some good."
The study found that during later years, people who read books or magazines, played games, did craft activities like knitting or quilting, or took part in social activities had a 30- to 50-percent decrease in developing memory loss. Watching TV was too passive. It didn't help, but playing computer games did.
"Overall, for a large group of people, thousands perhaps, it can show some effects, statistically. It's a good thing. It's a positive," Dr. Deleon said.
However, Deleon cautions that all the books, knitting and puzzles in the world can't guarantee you won't develop Alzheimer's.
He's seen many CEOs, doctors, lawyers and engineers who have always been mentally active and still end up demented.
Yet, there's no risk to trying -- and you can even have fun doing it.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
CBS News Interactive: Healthwatch
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