Painting can help fight early dementia signs

"Staying mentally active as we age can help to maintain memory and thinking skills." Photo / 123RF

Painting, drawing and sculpting in old age lowers the risk of developing the first signs of dementia by 73 per cent, an American study has shown.

Taking part in art which stimulates the mind, as well as developing motor skills, seemed to have a more protective effect than socialising, joining book clubs or using a computer.

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, followed 256 people who were over 85 years old for four years. The volunteers reported their participation in arts, such as painting, drawing and sculpting; crafts, such as woodworking, pottery, ceramics, quilting, quilling and sewing; social activities, such as going to the theatre and socialising, and using the internet.

After four years more than one third had developed mild cognitive impairment, which often leads to dementia.

However, those who had taken part in arts were 73 per cent less likely to have suffered memory or thinking problems. Those who crafted were 45 per cent less likely to have mild cognitive impairment, while socialising lowered the risk by 55 per cent. Those who regularly used the internet or a computer reduced their risk of memory problems by 53 per cent.

"As millions of older adults are reaching the age where they may experience these memory and thinking problems called Mild Cognitive Impairment, it is important we look to find lifestyle changes that may stave off the condition," said the study author Dr Rosebud Roberts.

"Our study supports the idea that engaging the mind may protect neurons - the building blocks of the brain - from dying, stimulate growth of new neurons, or may help recruit new neurons to maintain cognitive activities in old age."

There are around 850,000 people suffering from dementia in Britain and the figure is expected to rise to one million by 2025. One in six people aged 80 and over have dementia.

Around 60,000 deaths a year in the UK are directly attributable to dementia.

Dr Laura Phipps, from Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "This study adds to previous evidence suggesting that staying mentally active as we age can help to maintain memory and thinking skills."

The research was published in the journal Neurology.