Ruminations: Aging Healthfully, Cognitive Engagement

"Overall, this is important research. It identifies another potentially modifiable factor that might influence dementia risk."
"But we wouldn’t want to read too much into this study in isolation. It doesn’t establish cause and effect."
"We need further evidence, not just from observational studies like this one but also interventional studies."
Dr. Claire Sexton, senior director of scientific programs and outreach, Alzheimer's Association

"Online engagement may help to develop and maintain cognitive reserve, which can in turn compensate for brain aging and reduce the risk of dementia."
Dr. Virginia W. Chang, associate professor of global public health, New York University School of Global Public Health

"There was sort of a sweet spot that if you were on the internet for a half hour to 2 hours a day, it was protective against dementia. Too much internet time was not protective, or potentially harming."
"If older people are 'doom-scrolling' or compulsively scrolling through social media feeds laden with bad news, they may be highly exposed to negative images of aging, and feeling lower self-worth, and feeling bad about getting older […] — that would be an example where [too much time] could potentially have a negative effect."
"We know that learning new things, staying cognitively engaged is critical for protecting our brains and reducing our dementia risk."
Dr. Scott Kaiser, specialist in geriatric family medicine, Pacific Neuroscience Institute

"Thus far, research on digital divide in cognitive health has been limited to cross-sectional or longitudinal examinations with short followups, and studies have only considered baseline internet usage."
"We fill these gaps by characterizing the relationship between the risk of dementia and baseline internet usage over a much longer period and also examining whether changes in usage are associated with subsequent cognitive performance."
New York University study researchers

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A recently published study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, the work of three researchers at New York University used a number of various methods to arrive at estimates respecting how much regular Internet use can lower the probability of developing dementia. Data gathered prospectively for the University of Michigan's ongoing Health and Retirement study enabling the administration of a telephone-contact cognitive test every two years was used by the NYU team.

Data gathered over a year of the cohort of 20,000 participating adults were responsible for allowing this paper to be viewed as more definitive than previously published studies focusing on dementia and Internet use. Earlier studies had reached roughly similar conclusions; mainly that regular use of the Internet among older adults is strongly associated with a delayed onset of dementia. There is also the issue of benefit reversal linked to extremely heavy Internet users.

Baseline cognitive scores were attained by respondents in their initial interview reliant on self-reporting physical health, age, income, marital status and geographic region. The effect was seen to be the same regardless of gender, among different ethno-racial groups and generations of agedness. Even without Internet use as a measure of cognitive enhancement, older people comfortable with technology already have an edge in cognitive awareness.

There are additional elements, needless to say, to be taken into consideration when attempting to reach an insight into mental acuity and longevity; namely lifestyle choices. Physical activity, mental outreach, general state of health, genetic endowments, and critically, diet. Alcohol consumption and tobacco use two other health-averse habits to be considered. But clearly the challenge of Internet use in expanding general interest advantages cognitive health.

"What are the reasons some older adults might be spending excessive amounts of time online? Are they lonely? Socially isolated?"
"What other potential cognitive/physical risks might they have? On the other hand, what is going on among those who don’t use the internet at all?"
"I think these are questions that could be explored further in future studies."
"These particular results merit further investigation."
"We might say that using the internet in later life might have direct cognitive benefits because learning and using new technology might stimulate the brain and thus positively impact people’s cognitive function."
Dr. Snorri Bjorn Rafnsson, University of West London, United Kingdom