A recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society indicates a possible link between regular internet usage and a reduced risk of dementia. The research involved 18,154 dementia-free adults aged 50 to 64.9 years, monitored over a median of 7.9 years. Results showed that those who consistently used the internet had about half the risk of developing dementia compared to infrequent users, regardless of factors such as education, race, sex, and generation. Corresponding author Virginia W. Chang, MD, PhD, of New York University, proposed that online engagement may enhance and maintain cognitive reserve, which could mitigate brain aging and lower the likelihood of dementia. The findings highlight the importance of internet use in cognitive health, emphasizing its potential role in dementia prevention. The study tracked participants’ internet habits and dementia diagnoses, revealing that 4.68% of participants were diagnosed with dementia during follow-up. These results suggest that promoting regular internet usage could be a beneficial strategy for individuals aiming to protect their cognitive health in later years. The full study is referenced as “Internet usage and the prospective risk of dementia” by Gawon Cho et al., published on May 3, 2023.
