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Digital Technology Use Linked to Lower Dementia Risk in Older Adults, Study Finds

A groundbreaking meta-analysis reveals a 58% reduction in cognitive impairment risk for older adults engaging with digital devices, introducing the concept of 'technological reserve.'

For people over 50, technology use was not found linked to cognitive decline.
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Overview

  • A Nature Human Behavior study analyzed data from over 400,000 participants, finding that digital technology use is associated with a 58% lower risk of cognitive impairment in older adults.
  • The research challenges the 'digital dementia' hypothesis, showing no evidence of widespread cognitive harm from technology use in older populations.
  • Researchers introduced the 'technological reserve' framework, suggesting that engaging with cognitively stimulating digital tools may protect against mental decline.
  • The protective effects of technology use were comparable to those of physical activity and education, persisting even when controlling for socioeconomic and health factors.
  • Experts caution that while technology can be beneficial, the findings do not endorse passive or excessive use, and further research is needed to clarify causal relationships and optimal usage patterns.