Can cognitive training reduce the risk of dementia?

• A study in 2026 analyzed the long-term effects of cognitive training on the risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) over a 20-year period.

  https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/trc2.70197

• The study investigates the long-term impact of cognitive training on ADRD risk, addressing a gap in existing research regarding effects beyond 10 years.

• The ACTIVE study, a randomized controlled trial, previously demonstrated cognitive performance improvements and reduced disability in older adults, with a focus on speed, memory, and reasoning training.

• Prior findings indicated that speed training was associated with lower dementia risk, but the long-term effects remained unclear.

• The findings suggest that cognitive training focused on speed of processing can delay the diagnosis of ADRD, particularly when combined with booster sessions.

• The study highlights the importance of repeated cognitive training to enhance neuroplasticity and potentially mitigate dementia risk.

• The study underscores the potential of speed-focused cognitive training to reduce the risk of ADRD over an extended period, advocating for further exploration of effective training strategies and their long-term benefits.