Alzheimer's disease is a topic of much research, both in prevention and treatment. As of 2010, however, there is no cure. Researchers and the medical community are exploring multiple avenues to aid in staving off the onset of the disease that robs its victims of their cognitive functions. Mind exercises and "games" are tools developed by science help keep cognitive brain function intact.
Alzheimer's disease is a neurological disorder in which abnormal structures referred to as plaques and tangles develop within the brain. These structures accumulate over time and begin to interfere with the transference of impulses in cranial nerve cells. This results in memory loss, personality and behavioral changes and dementia.
According to Encyclopedia.com, an estimated one in 10 to one in 20 Americans age 65 and older have Alzheimer's disease, meaning that the condition affects a significant segment of the U.S. population.
Misconceptions
Many of the preventative strategies of this disease are based on what the National Institutes of Health refers to as scientific evidence of low quality, including the use of dietary modifications, increase of physical activity and the use of mind exercises. While this doesn't mean that these strategies are ineffective, it does indicate that none of the strategies have been scientifically proven to aid in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease.
Expert Insight
MedlinePlus cites a study authored by Robert S. Wilson, Ph.D., published by the journal "Neurology" on Sept. 1, 2010. The conclusion of the study confirmed earlier research that demonstrated activities such as mind exercises can slow cognitive decline during the normal aging process, but hastens such decline once symptoms of dementia are present.
Theories/Speculation
It is known that during the early development and accumulation of plaques and tangles in the brain, many people are asymptomatic of cognitive and mental decline. Wilson theorizes that those people that engage in mentally stimulating activities such as mind exercises remain cognitively intact for longer than those that do not engage in such activities. When the accumulation of plaques and tangles reaches the point that mental stimulation cannot overcome the abnormal physical structures and their damage, the mental and cognitive stimulation is no longer effective.
Outwardly, this effect will be seen as a rapid progression of decline, when that may not be true.
Considerations
There is still much to be learned about Alzheimer's disease on all fronts -- causes, prevention, treatment and cure. Whether high quality research studies will determine that mind exercises do prevent or slow the progression of this disease remains to be seen. In the mean time, the use of tools such as mind exercises have not been proven to be harmful in any manner. If you choose to make use of such tools, do so with the understanding that science has not proven their value in Alzheimer's disease.
References
- Encyclopedia.com: Alzheimer Disease
- National Institutes of Health: Preventing Alzheimer's Disease and Cognitive Decline
- MedlinePlus: Mental 'Exercise' May Only Hide Signs of Alzheimer's
- Neurology: Cognitive Activity and the Cognitive Morbidity of Alzheimer Disease. Robert S. Wilson, Ph.D., et al, Sept. 1, 2010
