Heavy TV watching associated with smaller brain structures, study finds
A study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia suggests that frequent television viewing during midlife is associated with reduced brain volume and cognitive decline. Researchers noted that this effect is specific to TV watching rather than general sedentary behavior.
Why it matters
Understanding lifestyle factors that contribute to cognitive health is critical for aging populations and preventative medicine.
by ByMargaret Crable, University of Southern California
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:
Add as preferred source Credit: JESHOOTS.com from Pexels "Turn off that TV, it'll rot your brain!" has been a household refrain for decades. While "rot" might be too strong a term, researchers are finding that the overall sentiment could have some merit.
A recently published study in Alzheimer's & Dementia revealed that those who reported watching TV "very often" in midlife later exhibited reduced volume in brain areas associated with memory, smaller frontal and occipital lobes, and white matter damage associated with aging, stroke risk, cognitive decline and dementia.
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