Expert: Michalene Peticca - 6/13/2009

Question
Does doing crossword and word search puzzles exercise the brain to ward off dementia/ alzheimer's?
Thank you!

Answer
Hi Joo,

Thank you for writing.  Many people do wonder about the benefits of "exercising" the brain to ward off Alzheimer's and other dementia diseases.

The answer is MAYBE.    Alzheimer's and dementia disorders are DISEASES of the brain. That is....much like cancer, an individual is generally pre-disposed to developing that disease from a genetic standpoint.  Therefore, i may have a genetic component that could be "triggered" for the disease, while you do not.  

However, there is a LOT of truth in the "use or lose it" theories and your brain is a muscle and needs constant exercise like any other muscle in your body.  Therefore, it is indeed very healthy to continue using the brain and challenging it's "muscle memory", etc.

It is not so much that doing crossword puzzles or word search "wards off" Alzheimer's as it either is able circumvent that disease trigger or significantly decrease the production of the disease.    (Think:  red wine & heart disease)

I suggest ALL avenues of enjoyment to keep learning, growing and working your brain "muscle"!   Enjoy!

Best Regards,
Michalene Peticca, MA