British scientists have found that keeping the brain active by working later in life reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease at a younger age.
The Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London study, funded by the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, analysed data from 1,320 people with dementia, looking at education, employment and retirement. The research, published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, found no link between education or employment and dementia risk, but found those who retire later prolong their mental abilities above the threshold for dementia.
Prof Simon Lovestone, Scientific Adviser to the Alzheimer’s Research Trust and the paper’s co-author, said:
“The intellectual stimulation that older people gain from the workplace may prevent a decline in mental abilities, thus keeping people above the threshold for dementia for longer. Much more research is needed if we are to understand how to effectively delay, or even prevent, dementia.”
Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, which funded the study, said:
“More people than ever retire later in life to avert financial hardship, but there may be a silver lining: lower dementia risk. Much more research into lifestyle factors is needed if we are to whittle down the £17 billion a year that dementia costs our economy
Source: Alzheimers Research Trust
More info on the study from Institute of Psychiatry
