Do some exercise to stay sharp and prevent dementia-New Study:

Jojy Cheriyan MD;MPH-April 01,2013

The prevalences of cognitive impairment and dementia are estimated to rise dramatically in the next 40 years and can be an epidemic as aging population is rising ever day.

A new study published today (online before print April01,2013) by the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) examined the combined effects of physical plus mental exercises on cognitive function in older adults.

A total of 126 inactive, community-residing older adults with cognitive complaints were subjected to home-based mental activity plus class-based physical activity for 12 weeks. All participants engaged in home-based mental activities for 1 hour a day for 3 days a week, plus class-based physical activities, 1 hour a day for 3 days a week. There were divided into 4 groups and given varying amount of physical and mental exercises .

Surprisingly, subjects assigned to more intense activities in the intervention groups scored no better on global cognitive tests after 12 weeks than those assigned to less rigorous activities in the active control groups. Global cognitive scores improved significantly over the 12 weeks of the study in all four groups, but did not differ between the intervention and control groups.

This study sends a positive message that as long as you do something to keep yourself active physically and mentally, it could have positive effects on your cognitive function. This study also shows that even those with mild cognitive impairment and other problems will benefit from physical and mental exercises.

Numerous observational studies and several systematic reviews have found that older adults who engage in mental or physical activity are less likely to experience cognitive decline or develop dementia. Recently, some studies have suggested that physical and mental activity may have independent or additive effects on improving the cognitive skills and physical well-being of people who are inactive with memory problems.

This randomized control study named as Mental Activity and eXercise trial (MAX trial) adds up growing evidence that staying active- physically and mentally- is key to staying sharp as you age.

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