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Not Black and White: Are Crossword Puzzles Really Good for Your Brain?

A young person sits cross-legged on the floor working on a crossword puzzle.

The Guardian

Madeleine Aggeler

Overview

In the quest for building and maintaining cognitive prowess, crossword puzzles have long been a popular pastime. But do these kinds of games actually improve brain function? Research has shown a positive correlation between crossword puzzles and daily life functions, especially for people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Experts emphasize that larger clinical trials are needed to unravel the observed associations between crossword puzzles and how our brains function. Keep Your Brain Healthy TodayResearchers like Lori Cook, PhD, CCC-SLP, emphasize that “there is no one-size-fits-all approach to preventing decline as we age.”

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"If you don’t really enjoy doing crossword puzzles, then you’re less likely to benefit at all. Your brain needs to be actively motivated and engaged to get the most out of it." – Dr. Lori Cook
As Director of Clinical Research at Center for BrainHealth, Dr. Cook encourages a holistic approach to brain health, underpinned by quality sleep, nutrition and physical activity, as well as maintaining emotional balance and positive social interaction. Read the full article at The Guardian

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Lori Cook, PhD, CCC-SLP

Director of Clinical Research Head of Research, The BrainHealth Project Adjunct Assistant Professor, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences


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