Another benefit of lifelong learning; postpones Alzheimer's Disease

Add the following to the ever growing reasons to engage in lifelong education: it postpones Alzheimer's disease. According to a new study reported in Science Daily:

Learning appears to slow the development of two brain lesions that are the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease, scientists at UC Irvine have discovered. The finding suggests that the elderly, by keeping their minds active, can help delay the onset of this degenerative disease.

It should be noted that the study was conducted with genetically modified mice and not humans but the results are consistent with observational studies on humans. The researchers were impressed and so should you.

"We were surprised this mild learning had such big effects at reducing Alzheimer's disease pathology and cognitive decline, but the effects were not strong enough to overcome later and more severe pathology," Green said. "We are now investigating if more frequent and vigorous learning will have bigger and longer benefits to Alzheimer's disease."

Five percent of people older than 65 have Alzheimer's, and up to one-half of people are affected by age 80. Anything that can be done to postpone the disease should be done and since lifelong learning has so many other benefits (career adaptability not to mention just making you a more interesting person to be around) there is no reason not to do it.