Skip to main content

Digital Technology Linked to Lower Rates of Cognitive Decline in Adults Older Than 50

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on April 18, 2025.

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, April 17, 2025 -- Widespread use of digital technology seems to be associated with lower rates of cognitive decline in adults older than 50 years, according to a study published online April 14 in Nature Human Behaviour.

Jared F. Benge, Ph.D., from the University of Texas at Austin, and Michael K. Scullin, Ph.D., from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine whether technological exposure has helped or harmed cognition in digital pioneers. Fifty-seven observational or cohort studies focusing on general digital technology use in older adults (older than 50 years) were included in the meta-analysis; 411,430 adults were included from cross-sectional and longitudinal observational studies.

The researchers found an association for use of digital technologies with a reduced risk for cognitive impairment (odds ratio, 0.42) as well as reduced time-dependent rates of cognitive decline (hazard ratio, 0.74). When accounting for demographic, socioeconomic, health, and cognitive reserve proxies, the effects remained significant.

"Technology engagement was associated with reduced odds of cognitive decline in middle-aged and older adults," the authors write. "There was no credible evidence from the longitudinal studies, or the meta-analysis as a whole, for widespread digital 'brain drain' or 'digital dementia' as a result of general, natural uses of digital technology."

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Posted April 2025

Read this next

Metabolic Syndrome Linked to Increased Risk for Young-Onset Dementia

THURSDAY, April 24, 2025 -- Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its individual components are associated with an increased risk for young-onset dementia (YOD), according to a study...

Dementia Biomarkers Associated With Age, Sex, APOE ε4 Status

MONDAY, April 21, 2025 -- Dementia biomarkers -- phosphorylated tau (P-tau181), neurofilament light (NfL), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) -- are associated with age...

Acute Care for Cannabis Use Increases Risk for Subsequent New Dementia Diagnosis

FRIDAY, April 18, 2025 -- Individuals seeking acute care for cannabis use have an increased risk for a new dementia diagnosis compared with those with all-cause hospital-based...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.