According to a new study, too much TV may cause harm to our brain and raise our chances of suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. The said study also revealed that the effects of excessive TV watching might show up much earlier than originally believed.
The above mentioned findings have been put forward by researchers from the Northern California Institute for Research & Education in San Francisco, who gathered for investigating link between cognitive performances, chances of having dementia and sedentary lifestyles. The researchers found that individuals who watch television for prolonged periods of time, namely for four hours or more every day, secured significantly low scores when tested for cognitive ability when in their middle age.
Researchers tracked the participants for a period of 25 years starting from their young adulthood. They found that people reporting low levels of physical activities did worse when their cognitive performances were tested.
University of California’s Kristine Yaffe, who is a professor of epidemiology, neurology and psychiatry at the university, said that results of this new study have significant implications particularly for young adults and children. This is because individuals belonging to these age groups are now spending more time with electronic gadgets and leading a more sedentary lifestyle than ever before.
Yaffe, however, also mentioned that findings of this research also bear a hopeful message. According to her, the research indicates that lowering the chances of experiencing cognitive decline and developing dementia later in life is possible just by changing our lifestyle.
On Monday, when speaking to the reporters at this year’s Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Washington, Yaffe told that lifestyle change is something one can definitely do.
Another study presented by researchers on Monday talked about the dangers of social isolation and loneliness in a similar vein.
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The findings of these studies are result of the shifting demographics in the US, which is increasing the median age of people in the country. Scientists have predicted that by 2050, over 28 million baby boomers will develop Alzheimer’s. According to data presented by the Alzheimer’s Association, right now, the US is home to more than 5 million Alzheimer’s patient.
It has also been predicted that by 2040 care of Alzheimer’s will consume around 24% of Medicare funding, which is a very big leap from the estimated 2.1% in 2020.
