Social Stimulation

Karp, Anita; Paillard-Borg, Stephanie; Wang, Hui-Xin; Silverstein, Merrill; Winblad, Bengt; and Fratiglioni, Laura. "Mental, Physical and Social Components in Common Leisure Activities in Old Age in Relation to Dementia: Findings from the Kungsholmen Project." Presented at the Alzheimer’s Association 9th International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders, Philadelphia, Penn., July 17 – 22, 2004. Abstract published in Neurobiology of Aging, July 2004, Vol. 25, S2: p. S313.

• Leisure activities involving mental, physical and social stimulation all seem to offer some protection against developing dementia, but activities that combine all three kinds of stimulation offer the greatest benefit. Data are from the Kungsholmen Project, a study based at Stockholm’s Karolinska Institute exploring the medical, social and psychological aspects of aging.

Milgram, N.W.; Head, E.; Zicker, S.C.; Ikeda-Douglas, C.J.; Murphey, H.; Muggenburg, B.; Siwak, C.; Tapp, D.; Cotman, C.W. “Learning ability in aged beagle dogs is preserved by behavioral enrichment and dietary fortification: A two-year longitudinal study.” Neurobiology of Aging 2005; 26: 77-90.

• Aging beagles have a much easier time learning new tricks, such as solving complex problems to find treats, if they eat a diet fortified with fruits and vegetables, get regular exercise and have opportunities to play with other dogs and interesting toys.

Mental Stimulation

Karp, Anita; Paillard-Borg, Stephanie; Wang, Hui-Xin; Silverstein, Merrill; Winblad, Bengt; and Fratiglioni, Laura. "Mental, Physical and Social Components in Common Leisure Activities in Old Age in Relation to Dementia: Findings from the Kungsholmen Project." Presented at the Alzheimer’s Association 9th International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders, Philadelphia, Penn., July 17 – 22, 2004. Abstract published in Neurobiology of Aging, July 2004, Vol. 25, S2: p. S313.

• Leisure activities involving mental, physical and social stimulation all seem to offer some protection against developing dementia, but activities that combine all three kinds of stimulation offer the greatest benefit. Data from the Kungsholmen Project, a study based at Stockholm’s Karolinska Institute exploring the medical, social and psychological aspects of aging.

Kemperman, Gerd; Kuhn, H. Georg; and Gage, Fred H. "More Hippocampal Neurons in Adult Mice Living in an Enriched Environment." Nature April 3, 1997; 386 (6624): 493 – 495.

• Mice and other rodents continue to form new cells throughout their lives in a region of the brain involved in learning and memory. In this study, mice raised in "enriched" environments developed more new cells than littermates raised in standard cages. The enriched cages were larger, contained more mice, and were outfitted with toys, tunnels and exercise equipment. Enriched mice also received occasional "treats" of cheese, crackers and fruit in addition to standard mouse chow. In a companion study published in the Journal of Neuroscience May 1, 1998; 18 (9) 3206 – 3212, this research team reported that aging mice who were moved into the enriched cages developed more brain cells than their littermates who stayed in standard housing. The full text of that paper is available online.

Lazarov, Orly; Robinson, John; Tang, Ya-Ping; Hairston, Ilana S.; Korade-Mirnics, Zeljka; Lee, Virginia M.-Y.; Hersh, Louis B.; Sapolsky, Robert M.; Mirnics, Karoly; and Sisodia, Sangram S. “Environmental Enrichment Reduces Beta-Amyloid Levels and Amyloid Deposition in Transgenic Mice.” Cell 2005 March 11; 120 (5): pp. 701 - 713.

• Genetically engineered Alzheimer mice raised in an “enriched” environment had significantly lower levels of key brain abnormalities than their counterparts raised in standard laboratory cages. The deluxe setting provided opportunities to exercise, explore and interact with other mice. The investigators found the brains of the enriched mice had increased levels of an enzyme that breaks down beta-amyloid as well as increased activity of several genes involved in learning and memory, brain cell survival and growth of new blood vessels.

Verghese, Joe; Lipton, Richard B.; Katz, Mindy J.; and others. "Leisure Activities and Risk of Dementia in the Elderly." New England Journal of Medicine June 19, 2003; 348 (25): 2508 – 2516.

• This study of nearly 500 older adults found a reduced likelihood of dementia in those who regularly read, played cards or board games, solved crossword puzzles or played a musical instrument. In this study, social dancing was the only physical activity associated with reduced risk.