Feature picture. Keeping Japanese Kois can be an engaging hobby. Furthermore, hobby engagement can reduce the risk of disabling dementia. We need therefore to look for engaging activities to delay the onset and progression of dementia. In this blog post we revisit what is new in dementia prevention.
Introduction
In 2023, we identified the new holy grail of dementia prevention (NHGDP) and recognize five domains of preventive strategies. These are:
- 1-Drug treatment.
- 2-Population attributable risk factors (PAFs) reduction.
- 3-Cognitive stimulating activities (CSAs).
- 4-Memory training: Kim’s Game.
- 5-Minimal cognitive impairment (MCI) intervention to prevent progression.
All 5 domains are important. Domain 3 on cognitive stimulating activities has now more evidence that they work. Multisensory cognitive stimulations are shown to slow down the onset of dementia in mice, and there is evidence of positive effects in humans too.
Figure 1 gives a conceptual framework of multi-sensory cognitive stimulations. What is exciting is these multisensory stimulating activities have the potential of preventing dementia.
Evidence of positive effects of cognitive stimulating activities
Singing, dancing, and telling stories are the three key social activities that slow down deterioration of mental functions. A scientific review of these sensory stimulating activities as the cornerstones of promoting healthy ageing, keeping dementia at bay, as well as using these stimulating activities to manage dementia have shown positive encouraging results.
Sensory diets
Indeed there is now the idea of sensory stimulating activities doubling up as “sensory diets” to stimulate the neural function of individuals with dementia. By incorporating activities that engage various senses, such as reminiscence therapy, multisensory experiences like singing, or physical activities like yoga, (or qigong), mindful meditation, aroma therapy, and digital health activities as shown in Figure 1 we are optimistic of improved cognition despite advancing years.
Take home messages
1-Cognitive stimulating activities are known to delay the onset and reduce the speed of progression of dementia.
2-In the next post we will look into further details on what are known about these cognitive stimulating activities in 2024 — in our quest for finding strategies to prevent and delay the onset and speed of progression of dementia.
Reference for further reading
1-Maneemai O, Cujilan Alvarado MC, Calderon Intriago LG, Donoso Triviño AJ,
Franco Coffré JA, Pratico D, Schwartz K, Tesfaye T, Yamasaki T. Sensory
Integration: A Novel Approach for Healthy Ageing and Dementia Management. Brain
Sci. 2024 Mar 18;14(3):285. doi: 10.3390/brainsci14030285. PMID: 38539673.
Next post: Dementia prevention in 2024? – What’s new? Part 2
