Mingle in Midlife

Previously, a number of studies have suggested a protective effect for social interactions – such as participating in book clubs and playing cards – on cognitive skills.  Rosebud O. Roberts, from the Mayo Clinic )Minnesota, USA), and colleagues assessed data collected on 256 men and women, ages 85 to 89 years, with normal cognitive function, who filled out questionnaires about their typical activities at age 50 and also during the year prior to study enrollment. Researchers extracted their health histories from medical records. Every 15 months for roughly the next four years, the participants completed in-person mental status checkups with tests of memory, language, visual-spatial skills and executive function, which includes abilities like reasoning and problem-solving.  During the study, 121 of the 256 participants developed memory deficits that did not affect their daily functioning, but which may later progress into dementia, or mild cognitive impairment.  Those who said they had engaged in arts, crafts, social activities, or travel during midlife were about half as likely to develop mild cognitive impairment as those who did not.  Observing that: “Chronic disease burden increases risk of [mild cognitive impairment], whereas certain lifestyle factors reduce risk in persons 85 years and older,” the study authors submit that: “This implies that preventive strategies for [mild cognitive impairment] may need to begin in midlife and should persist throughout late life.”