Long-term Study Confirms Speed Training Benefits for Older Adults
- Feb 10
- 2 min read
New results from the long-term ACTIVE trial suggest that a specific type of brain exercise, known as speed training, can significantly lower the risk of developing dementia. Research published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia found that older adults who engaged in this training were 25% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, even 20 years after the initial sessions.
Unlike traditional memory or reasoning exercises—which did not show a protective effect in this study—speed training focuses on visual processing speed. In a typical exercise, such as the game "Double Decision," participants must quickly identify a central object while simultaneously noticing flashing signs in their peripheral vision. As the game progresses, it becomes harder: images appear faster, distractors are added, and peripheral objects move further from the center.
Experts, including Marilyn Albert of the Johns Hopkins Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, were surprised by the durability of the results. The training is thought to work by building implicit skills, which are unconscious habits—like riding a bike—that rewire the brain in a way that lasts a lifetime. Dr. Thomas Wisniewski of NYU Langone Health described these findings as the strongest evidence to date supporting the use of cognitive training to lower dementia risk.
The study followed nearly 3,000 participants aged 65 and older. Those who saw the most benefit completed up to 23 hours of training over a three-year period. While neurologists stress that brain training is not a "cure-all," it may build cognitive reserve, enhancing the brain's resilience against decline. For optimal brain health, experts also recommend managing metabolic risk factors, correcting vision and hearing loss, and maintaining physical exercise.
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Speed Training Benefits
