Trinity Study Finds 587 Midlife Adults Gain Cognitive Boost From Hobbies, Outweighing Alzheimer’s Gene Risk
Updated
Updated · PsyPost · May 18
Trinity Study Finds 587 Midlife Adults Gain Cognitive Boost From Hobbies, Outweighing Alzheimer’s Gene Risk
3 articles · Updated · PsyPost · May 18
587 cognitively healthy adults aged 40 to 59 who engaged in varied social, physical and intellectual activities scored better on 13 cognitive tests, even when they carried APOE4 or had a family history of dementia.
The Trinity College Dublin analysis found those activities contributed more to midlife cognition than the strongest common genetic Alzheimer’s risk factor, with broader mixes of hobbies producing bigger gains than any single activity.
Depressive symptoms and traumatic brain injury were the most damaging modifiable factors, while diabetes, high blood pressure, poor sleep and hearing impairment also tracked with weaker performance.
The study used baseline data from the 10-year PREVENT Dementia program and cannot prove cause and effect; about 95% of participants were white and lifestyle measures relied partly on self-report.
With dementia affecting about 48 million people worldwide and projected to reach 150 million by 2050, the researchers said the findings support earlier, low-cost prevention efforts in midlife.
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Diverse Midlife Hobbies Linked to Stronger Brain Health and Lower Dementia Risk: Insights from the PREVENT Study
Overview
A major new study led by Trinity College Dublin as part of the PREVENT Dementia programme followed over 2,500 people aged 40 to 59 in the UK and Ireland for 15 years. The research found that having a variety of hobbies in midlife is strongly linked to better brain health, even for those with a genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Participants completed lifestyle questionnaires and cognitive tests, and their genetic risk was assessed. The results show that making diverse lifestyle choices can play a crucial role in protecting against cognitive decline, offering hope for dementia prevention.