People who have limited education and spend less time with others during middle age and beyond, face a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The brain develops cognitive reserve through extended education, which protects it from disease-related damage. Social activities help stimulate brain function while reducing social isolation, which appears to defend against memory and thinking ability deterioration. Learning activities together with reading, puzzles and socialising with friends or community groups, help people maintain their mental acuity which provides protective effects. The activities help build brain resistance while reducing the rate of cognitive deterioration.
References
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. “Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s Disease,” 2018. https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/8164/risk-factors-for-alzheimers-disease/magazine
Alzheimer’s Association. “What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease?” 2024. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers/causes-and-risk-factors
Alzheimer’s Society UK. “Risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease,” 2023. https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/types-dementia/who-gets-alzheimers-disease
Lancet Regional Health. “Risk factors for Alzheimer’s and cognitive function,” 2025. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanam/article/PIIS2667-193X(25)00097-3/fulltext[13]
PMC. “Thirty risk factors for Alzheimer’s Disease unified by a common mechanism,” 2023. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10813027/
Disclaimer: This article is informational only and not a substitute for medical advice