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.

Read this next

Intensive BP Reduction Effective for Lowering All-Cause Dementia Risk

TUESDAY, April 29, 2025 -- An intensive blood pressure (BP) reduction intervention is effective for lowering the risk for all-cause dementia among individuals aged 40 years and...

32 Percent of Dementia Attributed to Audiometric Hearing Loss

MONDAY, April 28, 2025 -- The population attributable fraction of dementia from any audiometric hearing loss is 32.0 percent, according to a study published online April 17 in...

Moderately Preterm Birth Tied to Long-Term Cognitive Problems

FRIDAY, April 25, 2025 -- Moderately preterm birth is associated with cognitive problems at ages 9 to 10 years, according to a study published online April 14 in JAMA Network...

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.