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Animal and human studies suggest that mental stimulation reduces the risk of cognitive decline. Researchers used data from a U.K. study of 13,004 older people (baseline age, ≥65) who were followed for 14 years; the brains of 329 subjects who died during follow-up were autopsied. In the current analysis, researchers examined the relationship between neuropathology and Cognitive Lifestyle Score (CLS). The CLS measures years of education, occupational complexity, and social engagement.
After adjustment for relevant medical and vascular risk factors, men with high CLS (i.e., an active cognitive lifestyle) had an 80% relative reduction in risk for microvascular disease and associated deep white-matter lesions and a 70% relative reduction in risk …