Elderly Mental Acuity Potentially Enhanced by Pet Ownership
In a groundbreaking study, researchers have found that owning a pet, particularly dogs, may help delay cognitive decline as we age. The study, presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 74th Annual Meeting, analysed cognitive data from over 1,300 adults involved in the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative study that tracks the lives of U.S. adults ages 50 and older.
The first author of the study was Jennifer W. Applebaum, a sociology doctoral candidate and NIH predoctoral fellow at the University of Florida. Applebaum completed her PhD in Sociology at the University of Michigan. The study found that pet ownership was especially beneficial for working verbal memory, like memorizing word lists.
However, it is premature to recommend pet ownership specifically for brain health based on the study's findings. Dr. Nikhil Palekar, a neurologist, notes that additional research is needed to understand the relationship between pet ownership and cognition.
The study found that owning a pet for at least 5 years gave the strongest benefit, delaying cognitive decline by 1.2 points over the 6 years of the study. This finding suggests that long-term pet ownership could be protective against cognitive decline.
Dr. Douglas Scharre, a neurologist at Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center, explains that exercising the brain can help build new connections between nerve cells. Activities such as physical exercise, socialization, puzzles, games, problem-solving activities, dancing, singing, playing musical instruments, and sports are excellent ways to stimulate the brain.
The participants who owned pets in the study were generally of higher socioeconomic status. However, the cognitive health benefits of pet ownership might be linked to higher income and more frequent doctor visits. Interestingly, improvements to cognitive health were reported to be "more prominent" for Black adults, college-educated adults, and men.
Public policy and community partnerships could play a role in supporting pet ownership for marginalized populations. Potential steps towards this goal include regulating or abolishing pet fees on rental housing, providing foster or boarding support, and offering free or low-cost veterinary care for pet owners with lower incomes.
Previous research has also found links between interacting with a pet and stress reduction, which could have a long-term impact on cognitive health. As more research is conducted, the potential benefits of pet ownership for cognitive health could provide support for programs to support older adults interested in pet ownership.
In conclusion, while the study can't prove a cause-and-effect relationship between pet ownership and cognitive decline, it provides early evidence that suggests long-term pet ownership could be protective against cognitive decline. As research continues, the potential benefits of pet ownership for cognitive health are promising and could lead to new approaches for maintaining cognitive health as we age.
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