May 6, 2026
At risk for Alzheimer’s? Take a walk with a friend, go on a trip, pick up a musical instrument, read a book, learn a new language. Engaging in a variety of physical, social and intellectually stimulating activities in midlife may be critical for keeping the brain healthy as we age, even for those at increased genetic risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new report.
The study, from researchers at Trinity College Dublin, looked at 700 healthy adults in their 40s and 50s living in the U.K. and Ireland. All were part of a large, ongoing study called the PREVENT Dementia program that is investigating the origins and early diagnosis of dementia. About a third carried the APOE-E4 gene variant, which increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s late in life.
Participants underwent comprehensive tests of memory, language, visuospatial and attention skills. They also filled out surveys about how often they engaged in various activities considered to be beneficial for brain health, including socializing with friends and family, playing a musical instrument, pursuing an artistic pastime, exercising, reading, practicing a second language, and traveling.
The researchers found that those volunteers who engaged the most in such activities tended to score higher on tests of memory and thinking skills. The greatest benefits were seen in those who pursued a variety of activities, including among those who were at heightened risk of Alzheimer’s because they carried the APOE-E4 gene variant.
“We have known for some time that lifestyle activities, such as exercise, can stave off cognitive decline in older adults,” said study author Lorina Naci. “We were surprised to see that stimulating everyday activities significantly boost cognition in midlife, decades before age-related cognitive decline sets in.”
“Crucially, we saw that bigger benefits came from a mix of different activities, rather than any single one,” Dr. Naci continued. “Our results suggest that variety is key and that a combination of physical, social and mental stimulation is most effective for boosting brain health.”
The researchers also considered factors that could diminish memory and thinking skills. Traumatic brain injuries or having symptoms of depression seemed to have the biggest impact on midlife cognitive skills. Other conditions that impaired cognition included diabetes, high blood pressure, poor sleep and hearing deficits. The findings were published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment and Disease Monitoring.
The study showed only an association between active engagement in a variety of activities and improved cognitive skills and could not prove cause and effect. Nor could the findings determine whether these activities help to stave off dementia later in life. But scientists believe that activities that challenge the brain may help to build so-called cognitive reserve, fostering a rich network of connections between neurons. If some cells die off because of a disease like Alzheimer’s, enough cell connections remain to keep the brain in good working order.
“This research is empowering,” Dr. Naci said. “It shows that engaging in a diverse range of stimulating activities, such as socializing, learning new skills, staying physically active, and nurturing mental health, can actively strengthen cognitive resilience decades before any symptoms appear, even for those with genetic risk and family history of dementia.” The researchers are planning follow-up studies over the coming decade.
By ALZinfo.org, The Alzheimer’s Information Site. Reviewed by Eric Schmidt, PhD, of The Fisher Center lab at The Rockefeller University.
Source: Bolin Cao, Qing Qi, Siobhan Hutchinson, et al: “The relative contribution of modifiable and non-modifiable factors for determining cognition in mid-life individuals at risk for late-life Alzheimer’s disease.” Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring, April 21, 2026
