Surfing the Internet reduces the risk of dementia

Using the Internet regularly after the age of 50 helps delay the onset of cognitive impairment, according to an American study. Details.

Surfing the Internet would protect against the risk of dementia. This is shown by a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. New York University researchers followed 18,154 adults, aged 50 to 65, for an average of nearly 8 years.

Thus, regular use of the Internet would reduce the risk of developing dementia by half. These results could be observed regardless of the level of education, ethnic origin and gender of the participants.

The lowest risk of cognitive decline was observed in particular in people who surfed the Internet for a few minutes to two hours a day.. “However, these estimates are not significant due to small sample sizes,” explain the researchers.

Towards the development of models of Internet use?

In addition, excessive exposure to the Internet, beyond six hours, would have a negative impact on mental health. Here again, further studies will be necessary to better understand these deleterious consequences of Internet use.

Activities performed, usage time; the optimal use of the Internet for cognitive functions still needs to be refined. “Future research could identify different patterns of internet use associated with cognitively healthy lifespan while being aware of the potential side effects of excessive use,” note the researchers. Because if the scientific team has highlighted a correlation between the use of the Internet and mental health, the cause and effect link is not yet explained.

In view of this study, the Web appears in any case to be a tool for healthy aging. “Online engagement may help build and maintain cognitive reserve, which in turn may offset brain aging and reduce dementia risk,” concludes Virginia W. Chang, author of the study.