Time read: 5 MintuesA landmark long-term study reveals: Visual speed of processing training is one of our most powerful tools against dementia. Here is how it works.
Imagine you could invest just 10 hours in something today and reap the rewards in 2045. Sounds like science fiction? A massive, groundbreaking study recently published in the prestigious journal of the Alzheimer’s Association proves that when it comes to your brain, it is entirely possible.
Researchers followed thousands of participants for two decades as part of the famous ACTIVE study.
The findings showed that participants who performed targeted cognitive training significantly reduced their risk of developing dementia compared to the control group (Vance et al., 2024).
The conclusion was clear: those who trained their “speed of processing” created a protective effect that lasted even 20 years after the training ended.
How to improve your memory – recommended methods >>
The Secret? “Cognitive Reserve”
Speed of processing is the brain’s engine. It is the primary process by which the brain gathers information from the senses, analyzes it, and sends an execution command.
The brain’s ability to understand, analyze, and transmit information efficiently depends on the quality and quantity of the neural connections (synapses) that link brain cells.
The good news? The brain is plastic. Proper training builds a “Cognitive Reserve“, a safety cushion that allows the brain to stay sharp and clear even when facing age-related changes.
What is Cognitive Reserve and how it works >>
How does it look in practice? Let’s try two exercises from the Effectivate lab:
To turn science into reality, Effectivate has developed games that challenge the exact mechanisms tested in the study. Here are two of them:
1. Point to Point: Memory Meets Speed
In this game, your brain must work under “positive time pressure.”
- The Challenge: Circles containing numbers, letters, or icons will appear on the screen for you to remember. After they disappear, you must click on the circles in ascending order based on what you recall.
- The Improvement: As you progress, the number of circles increases and the display time shortens. This challenges both memory and speed of processing simultaneously.
2. Face to Face: The Art of Rapid Sorting
Here we work on focused attention and information processing, the process by which the brain identifies and analyzes new information from the senses.
- The Challenge: A character appears in the center of the screen with two groups below it. You must sort the central character to the correct side (right or left) according to the group it belongs to, within the allotted time.
- The Goal: To strengthen the quality of neural connections. Your brain’s ability to send information efficiently depends on how quickly you can focus on a specific detail and categorize it under time pressure.
3 Quick Tips: How to Keep a Sharp Brain (Beyond Training)
- Vary the Challenge: The brain loves surprises. Don’t just do what you’re already good at, try exercises that feel slightly difficult. That is where new neural connections are born.
- Move More: Aerobic physical activity increases oxygen flow to the brain and encourages the release of proteins that support the survival of nerve cells.
- Sleep is Not a Luxury: During sleep, the brain “cleans” toxins and consolidates memories. Don’t skip those 7–8 hours a night.
The Bottom Line: Your Future Self Will Thank You
The study by Vance et al. (2024) proves that the quality and quantity of our neural connections are not a matter of fate.
Through targeted training, we can “upgrade the infrastructure” of the brain. 10 hours of speed-of-processing training is a strategic investment in your health for decades to come.
What is Cognitive Reserve and how it works >>
References (APA):
Vance, D. E., Edwards, J. D., & Ball, K. K. (2024). Long-term effects of speed of processing training on dementia risk: A 20-year follow-up of the ACTIVE study. Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions, 10(1), e70197. https://doi.org/10.1002/trc2.70197
