Love a Good Book? It Could Add Years to Your Brain
By Health Correspondent
Bookworms, language lovers and lifelong learners could be giving their brains a powerful edge against Alzheimer’s, a major new study suggests.
Researchers found people who regularly stretched their minds — from childhood right through old age — developed Alzheimer’s up to five years later than those who didn’t.
Mild cognitive impairment was delayed by an even bigger seven years.
The study, published February 11, 2026, in Neurology®, tracked 1,939 people with an average age of 80 over eight years. While it doesn’t prove brainy hobbies prevent Alzheimer’s, it found a strong link between lifelong learning and better cognitive health.
Those in the top 10% for “cognitive enrichment” — meaning high levels of reading, writing, learning languages and cultural activities — were far less likely to develop Alzheimer’s than those in the bottom 10%.
Just 21% of the most mentally active group developed Alzheimer’s, compared to 34% of the least stimulated group.
After adjusting for age, sex and education, researchers found higher lifetime enrichment was tied to a 38% lower risk of Alzheimer’s and a 36% lower risk of mild cognitive impairment.
People with the most enrichment developed Alzheimer’s at an average age of 94, compared to 88 in the lowest group. Mild cognitive impairment appeared at 85 versus 78.
“Our study looked at cognitive enrichment from childhood to later life, focusing on activities and resources that stimulate the mind,” said study author Andrea Zammit, PhD, of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
“Our findings suggest that cognitive health in later life is strongly influenced by lifelong exposure to intellectually stimulating environments.”
Researchers even found that participants who later died — and underwent autopsy — showed better thinking skills before death if they had higher enrichment levels, even when Alzheimer’s-related brain changes were present.
“Our findings are encouraging, suggesting that consistently engaging in a variety of mentally stimulating activities throughout life may make a difference in cognition,” said Zammit. “Public investments that expand access to enriching environments, like libraries and early education programs designed to spark a lifelong love of learning, may help reduce the incidence of dementia.”
The study relied on participants recalling details from earlier life, which may not have been perfectly accurate. It was supported by the National Institutes of Health and Michael Urbut, former member of the Rush University Board of Governors.
