The study by Verghese et al. investigates the relationship between leisure activities and the risk of dementia in a cohort of 469 elderly individuals over a 21-year period. The participants were over 75 years old and did not have dementia at baseline. The researchers examined the frequency of cognitive and physical activities, using scales that measured activity-days per week. Cox proportional-hazards analysis was used to assess the risk of dementia based on baseline activity levels, adjusting for age, sex, educational level, chronic medical illnesses, and baseline cognitive status. Key findings include: - Reading, playing board games, playing musical instruments, and dancing were associated with a reduced risk of dementia. - A one-point increment in the cognitive-activity score was significantly associated with a reduced risk of dementia (hazard ratio, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.90 to 0.97]). - Physical activity scores did not show a significant association with dementia. - The association between cognitive activities and reduced dementia risk persisted even after excluding subjects with possible preclinical dementia. - Increased participation in cognitive activities was associated with slower rates of cognitive decline, particularly in episodic memory. The study concludes that higher levels of participation in leisure activities at baseline are associated with a lower risk of dementia, both Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. However, the authors note that controlled trials are needed to establish a causal relationship. The findings suggest that cognitive activities may enhance cognitive reserve and delay the onset of dementia.The study by Verghese et al. investigates the relationship between leisure activities and the risk of dementia in a cohort of 469 elderly individuals over a 21-year period. The participants were over 75 years old and did not have dementia at baseline. The researchers examined the frequency of cognitive and physical activities, using scales that measured activity-days per week. Cox proportional-hazards analysis was used to assess the risk of dementia based on baseline activity levels, adjusting for age, sex, educational level, chronic medical illnesses, and baseline cognitive status. Key findings include: - Reading, playing board games, playing musical instruments, and dancing were associated with a reduced risk of dementia. - A one-point increment in the cognitive-activity score was significantly associated with a reduced risk of dementia (hazard ratio, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.90 to 0.97]). - Physical activity scores did not show a significant association with dementia. - The association between cognitive activities and reduced dementia risk persisted even after excluding subjects with possible preclinical dementia. - Increased participation in cognitive activities was associated with slower rates of cognitive decline, particularly in episodic memory. The study concludes that higher levels of participation in leisure activities at baseline are associated with a lower risk of dementia, both Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. However, the authors note that controlled trials are needed to establish a causal relationship. The findings suggest that cognitive activities may enhance cognitive reserve and delay the onset of dementia.