We all know that one of the best ways to keep our bodies healthy is by exercising regularly. For some that may be running, swimming, or lifting weights, but the same principle applies to your brain. Based on a survey we conducted online where we asked how often people do a crossword, 83% of participants responded that they rarely ever do one. We want to spread knowledge on the importance of challenging your brain and pushing its limits so that hopefully these numbers change.
Being mindful of your brain health is a crucial component of living a long and healthy life, and there are many ways to maintain its well-being. Many studies have shown that doing crosswords and number puzzles late in life could sharpen your brain and potentially prevent or reduce dementia. There’s no doubt that challenging your brain will benefit your cognitive functions, however, is it true that crosswords can go as far as preventing such a prevalent neurological disorder? According to the Alzheimer’s Society, exercising your mind daily can keep your brain stimulated and help slow the progression of dementia into the later stages.
Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia and affects over 50 million people worldwide. It’s a condition that progressively worsens through time, often initially showing signs of mild memory loss, and potentially leading to severe cognitive decline. It can also have effects on thought processes and language and is the 7th leading cause of death in the world. Biologically, an accumulation of amyloid-β and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) in the brain is what directly harms neurotransmission and causes these symptoms of cognitive decline. Due to these characteristics playing a major role in the progression of Alzheimer’s, a method of safely decreasing the intracerebral buildup of amyloid or tau would be a major contribution to the world of AD treatment.
Although there is no cure for the disease at the moment, there are various treatment methods available. These can span from medication or uses of medical devices that chemically alter the brain, to simple daily activities that exercise your memory. In many cases, crosswords have revealed their connection between short-term working memory and long-term permanent memory, and “A 2011 experiment with members of the Bronx Aging Study found that a regular regimen of crosswords might delay the onset of cognitive decline.”
Here at Neuroelectrics we are fascinated by the development and altering of the human brain and have devoted our time to advancing the field of treatments for neurological disorders. Researchers worldwide are using our devices to track and analyze the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s. Our device conducts noninvasive brain stimulation through electrodes that are meticulously placed in the correct areas of the cap to the areas of your brain. In a study by Neuroelectrics conducted on Alzheimer’s, the transcranial signals were set to target amyloid in the brain with hopes to decrease the aggregates of this protein.
The impact crossword puzzles may have on the prevention of dementia is still an ongoing discussion for researchers, and while we don’t fully side with any particular case, we know for sure that a crossword a day never hurt anyone!
