Keeping the brain active by working later in life may be an effective way to ward off Alzheimer’s disease, research suggests.
Researchers had analysed data from 1,320 dementia patients, including 382 men. They found that for the men, continuing to work late in life helped keep the brain sharp enough to delay dementia taking hold.
Those people who retired late developed Alzheimer’s at a later stage than those who opted not to work on. Each additional year of employment was associated with around a six week later age of onset.
Researcher Professor Simon Lovestone 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.”
[Source]
Chapter: Alzheimer's Disease :: 25 May 2009
