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Playing chess can help prevent Alzheimer's
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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Age-related changes in our bodies are, unfortunately, inevitable, but scientists believe that not everyone develops dementia, and this disease can be prevented. A team of researchers at the Bloomberg School concluded that mental training helps support the brain and prevent problems with memory and thinking in old age.
The easiest way to train your brain is to play chess, solve puzzles, and, according to scientists, it is not necessary to find a partner, you can use a computer. This approach helps reduce the likelihood of developing senile dementia, avoid memory problems, and prevent other disorders in the brain that occur with age.
These are the conclusions reached by the Bloomberg School staff, who used a computerized program to train the brain during their research, which helped reduce the risk of developing senile dementia. Scientists are confident that games that require thinking help, if not prevent, then significantly slow down the development of Alzheimer's, as well as other types of cognitive impairment in older people.
If the preliminary results are confirmed in subsequent studies, computer games for the development of intelligence may replace the current therapy for the treatment of age-related changes in the functioning of the brain. The scientists also noted that such games improve mood and reduce the risk of developing depressive disorders.
It is worth noting that the brain is still an insufficiently studied organ of our body, it still hides enough secrets, however, scientists have repeatedly talked about the benefits of games and exercises that train the brain, improve memory, develop intelligence, etc. If you engage in the development of your brain from a young age, then in more mature age you can avoid a number of problems, including the development of such serious diseases as Alzheimer's.
In Britain, at the beginning of the year, a team of scientists found out what needs to be done to prevent the development of senile dementia and maintain normal brain function for a long time. First of all, we are talking about a healthy lifestyle, and the British government even issued recommendations that help reduce the risk of developing dementia by 60%.
According to the scientific group, in order to keep a “clear head,” one should be physically active, undergo regular preventive examinations, give up smoking and alcohol, eat right (control your weight), and provide your brain with intellectual loads (read, learn something new, do something new, etc.).
The government decided to issue recommendations to the population after about half of respondents in one survey said that there is no way to prevent dementia. However, in the course of scientific research, scientists were able to prove that a healthy lifestyle significantly affects the functioning of the brain in old age. Scientists also noted that the average life expectancy on the planet is increasing, which means that more and more people will be susceptible to dementia.