Can You Improve Brain Health? An intriguing question presented by recent research in the British Medical Journal suggests that working as a taxi or ambulance driver may help reduce the risk of dementia.
Researchers from Harvard University examined the occupational histories and mortality causes of millions of Americans. Their findings revealed that taxi and ambulance drivers had the lowest rates of Alzheimer’s disease-related deaths among nearly 400 occupations analyzed.
The hypothesis is that good navigational skills contribute to longevity. Interestingly, bus drivers didn’t exhibit the same protection, likely because they operate on fixed routes.
“Our findings indicate that the frequent navigation and spatial processing tasks performed by taxi and ambulance drivers may offer some protective benefits against Alzheimer’s disease,” the authors state.
This discovery is significant, considering dementia is a leading cause of mortality. From 2012 to 2021, nothing surpasses dementia as a killer in the UK, claiming 75,000 British lives alone in 2023, according to British Alzheimer’s Research.
As advancements in cancer and heart disease treatments allow us to live longer, our risk of dementia also increases. Should we consider abandoning mapping apps for healthier, longer lives?
This isn’t the only evidence supporting the idea that navigation benefits brain health. Previous studies show that training to become a London taxi driver alters brain structure.
London taxi drivers endure a rigorous ‘knowledge test’ assessing their familiarity with the city’s streets.
Researchers from UCL found that after training, their hippocampi enlarged like muscles gaining strength from exercise. The hippocampus is key for navigation and spatial processing and is also the first brain area affected by Alzheimer’s.
“Spatial awareness and navigational abilities often decline early,” says Hugo Spiers, a professor of cognitive neuroscience running the Taxi Brains project at UCL.
This decline might even begin before noticeable memory loss. If frequent movement enlarges the hippocampus, it may create a form of cognitive reserve protecting against disease—part of a broader strategy for maintaining brain health.
“Higher education levels correlate with greater cognitive reserves,” Spiers explains. “Pursuing education and careers requiring deep thinking can be advantageous.”
However, there are caveats regarding the Harvard study. While taxi and ambulance drivers had lower Alzheimer’s mortality, they also exhibited shorter life spans.
This raises concerns as Alzheimer’s typically manifests with age. One explanation might be that individuals in these professions don’t live long enough to develop the disease.
“This study isn’t an endorsement of becoming a taxi driver. Sadly, they tend to have shorter lifespans,” Spiers remarked. “However, even after adjusting for age, the researchers observed a significant effect.”
It’s essential to note that this study used historical mortality data. Many drivers analyzed likely didn’t rely on GPS for navigation, unlike many today. “As society changes, these outcomes may also evolve,” Spiers points out.
He advocates enhancing navigation skills by getting outdoors.
“Integrating evidence from recent years, walking or running in nature is one of the best things you can do for your brain,” Spiers recommends. “Avoid GPS and navigate independently.”
Engaging in physical activity and being in nature are proven contributors to healthy aging. Additionally, social connections can help ward off Alzheimer’s, so consider going outdoors with a friend for an extra energy boost.
So, where will you navigate next?
About Our Experts
Hugo Spiers is a Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at UCL, leading the Taxi Brains project. His work has been published in Nature, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, and Public Library Science, among other journals.
Read More:
Source: www.sciencefocus.com