Very quick post: just want to alert you of 2 news pieces on MCI and Alzheimer’s prevention-related research.

Frequent Brain Stimulation In Old Age Reduces Risk Of Alzheimer’s Disease

• “The study found a cognitively active person in old age was 2.6 times less likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer’s disease than a cognitively inactive person in old age. This association remained after controlling for past cognitive activity, lifetime socioeconomic status, and current social and physical activity.”
• “Wilson says the study also found frequent cognitive activity during old age, such as visiting a library or attending a play, was associated with reduced risk of mild cognitive impairment, a transitional stage between normal aging and dementia, and less rapid decline in cognitive function.”

Stress Linked to Memory Decline

• “If you want your mind to stay healthy into your golden years, don’t worry, be happy. That could be the message of new research that shows those prone to worry, anxiety or depression are more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a condition often considered a precursor to the more-debilitating Alzheimer’s disease.”
• “MCI is now recognized as a very early sign of incipient Alzheimer’s disease,” said Robert S. Wilson, lead author of the study and a neuropsychologist at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center in Chicago. “We found that among healthy elderly people without evidence of cognitive dysfunction at the beginning of the study, chronic distress predicted the development of MCI.”
• “This is consistent with 20 years of literature on the subject,” added Dr. Sam Gandy, chairman of the Alzheimer’s Association’s medical and scientific advisory council and director of the Farber Institute for Neurosciences at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.”

What to do? well, you can check out these Easy Steps to Improve Your Brain Health Now. And check this nice article on New mental exercises, games can keep aging minds fit.