HuffPost: This One Hobby Is Great for an Aging Brain, According to a New Study

HuffPost recently interviewed Cedars-Sinai neurologist Golnaz Yadollahikhales, MD, about a recent study that found playing a musical instrument or singing can help improve memory and lower the risk of age-related cognitive decline.

Yadollahikhales, who was not involved in the study, told HuffPost that she has seen evidence of the study’s findings in her own patients who have a musical background.

“The patients of mine who were musicians or who were still playing music at the time of diagnosis would show better cognitive function than what was expected to be seen based on their structural imaging findings,” she said.

Yadollahikhales told HuffPost that engaging in activities throughout life that foster learning and developing new skills—and support emotional wellbeing and help build relationships with others—can protect brain health and help slow cognitive impairment as people grow older.

“Overall, it is recommended that people start building their cognitive reserve early in life,” she told HuffPost. “This can be achieved by playing music and games such as puzzles, reading books and being physically active … also, as mentioned in this study as well, higher education can affect cognitive reserve positively.”

Yadollahikhales added that if people are already experiencing age-related cognitive decline or dementia, “ … being cognitively, socially and physically active … can slow down the progression of the disease.”

The study found that playing keyboard instruments—like a piano or organ—was most beneficial for preserving memory function.

Click here to read the complete article from HuffPost.