While it is commonly known through various research and studies that physical activities and mind-challenging games stimulate brain activity, a new study shows that these may not be enough to stop the spread of amyloid deposits in the brain.
Dr. Keith Johnson, the lead researcher for the study, concluded that this buildup cannot be prevented by activities, reports Consumer Healthday. He is a co-director of the Neuroimaging Core at the Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center as well as a professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School in Boston.
He has been quoted as saying, "While it was hoped that early, or current, engagement in these sorts of activity would be protective against developing Alzheimer's, our findings suggest that, while beneficial for overall mental health, the activity does not seem to prevent amyloid buildup." This was covered by a CBN News report.
Although it was found that reading and other intellectual activities may generally increase the mental capacity of individuals, these are not markers of the said disease. Only the beta-amyloid deposits seen on brain scans are indicative of having this condition. But Dr. Johnson also acknowledges that this is not a prolonged study. According to him, it is still needed to follow these study subjects over a period of time to further their conclusions.
Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia that causes problems in memory, intellect and behavior. Although it may gradually develop, it worsens over a period of time and there is no known cure or prevention at the moment. Some earlier symptoms may have treatments but researches are still being done to find a long-term solution. In the US, 1 in every 3 seniors die with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. It is also the sixth cause of death. An estimated 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease this year. They vary from all ages, quotes ALZ.org.
Yet despite the current study findings, Dr. Johnson says that the result should not become the reason for people to stop with the physical and mental activities. He wants to emphasize that these can greatly help in maintaining good health, which can greatly benefit the brain.
The director of the Center for Cognitive Health at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, Dr. Sam Gandy, stated that mental function is far more crucial than amyloid plaque in the brain. "The mechanisms underlying the mental benefit of physical and mental activity may well have more to do with how the brain copes with pathology [disease] and less about controlling how much pathology is present," quotes the doctor.
