Brain games linked to delayed cognitive decline in elderly

Older people who engage in mentally stimulating activities later in life may have a lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment than their peers who don't challenge their minds, a study suggests.

For adults 70 and older without cognitive problems, playing games was associated with a 22 percent reduced risk of what's known as new-onset mild cognitive impairment, a condition that can happen before age-related declines in brain function give way to full-blown dementia.

Working on crafts was tied to a 28 percent lower risk of mild cognitive impairment, computer use was linked to 30 . . .