Computer Use Could Help Predict Early-Stage Alzheimer's (thestack.com)

An anonymous reader cites an article on The Stack: Infrequent use of a computer in later life could be an early sign of reduced cognitive ability, according to research from Oregon Health and Science University. A study, which involved 27 'cognitively-healthy' adults aged 65 or older, used MRI scans to measure the volume of the hippocampus -- a small area of the brain with a key role in memory function used to pick up early biomarkers of dementia and Alzheimer's. Data was also collected on computer use among participants via mouse movement detection software. Results showed an additional hour of computer use each day was linked to a 0.025% larger hippocampal volume(PDF), thus indicating that lower computer usage could help predict cognitive decline.

Comments

correlation vs causation

[presidenteloco]

So does cognitive decline cause low computer use or does high computer use prevent cognitive decline?

In otherwords, should doctors be saying "go surf some ***n" to prevent dementia. Watch out for visual symptoms though.