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

Conundrum

[sunderland56]

I'm running Windows, so my computer has all the signs of Alzheimer's disease..... what does that say about me?

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.

Re:correlation vs causation

[justthinkit]

Lowering reading usage would predict it as well. I've cared for Alzheimer's clients and either they don't read at all, or only the multi-color advertisement inserts. Alzheimer's equals no memory. No memory equals "Why read a book?" Also, watch for a loss of interest in episodic television series. Even a drop in conversation, particularly with people you don't see every day. Unable to memorize Pi beyond the 100th digit, etc.

Re: correlation vs causation

[DThorne]

You're correct, but still the mainstream takeaway for the general public is "keep using computer to stave off dementia." I must admit that the results from the study seem so weak to me that there's not much takeaway at all. When I hit that age I can look at declining computer use as a (probably temporary) result of games sucking that month and I'm realizing the value of going for walks instead.
I'm not blaming the researchers for reporting it, but I just don't think there's much meat there.

My wife has early stage Alzheimer's...

[Anonymous Coward]

and her computer usage hasn't declined at all. She actually ends up spending MORE time on it since using apps like QuickBooks takes her longer to use.

P-value of 0.01

[Sowelu]

Remember, if you run an experiment like this one a hundred times, you'll get this result once on average by pure statistical chance. The other 99 don't get published. There were a couple other things they measured (education and MMSE) that could have been interesting enough to publish, too, so knock the odds down to 1/33. Or, since they tried a couple different methods to normalize the data, odds are up to 1/20 that this study would have produced numbers this significant on a single variable by pure chance.

Elderly using computers

[Dins]

The problem is many elderly people 65+ don't use computers to begin with. My dad is 83, and really hadn't ever even touched a computer or related technology until recently. He just never wanted to learn, and didn't want it in his life. My 79 year old mom did learn somewhat and did all the e-mail correspondence with me. Well she recently passed. I flew out to be with my dad and when I initially got there I walked past my mom's iPad on the table. I mentally figured I'd be going home with the iPad because I thought there was no way he'd want to learn it. I was wrong. Not only did he want to learn how to use it to do e-mail and do some easy searches (I installed the Google app for ease of use/explanation), but he wanted to get a smart phone too. I was stunned, but I went with him to get an iPhone.

It's been rough going since he's gotten it, but he has friends who have smart phones and can help. He can usually figure out how to e-mail me or text me with it, and he's called me with it several times, so positive steps in the right direction. I guess since his computer use has increased nearly infinitely (from nothing to something) that bodes well for staving off Alzheimers. My point was lack of computer use among the elderly may just mean they're resistant to technology, not that they are developing Alzheimers.