Digital Technology Linked to Lower Rates of Cognitive Decline in Adults Older Than 50
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
Exposure to Certain HIV Drugs May Significantly Lower Risk for Alzheimer Disease
TUESDAY, May 20, 2025 -- Exposure to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), which treat HIV and hepatitis B and inhibit inflammasome activation, is associated with a...
Overwork Tied to Structural Changes in Brains of Health Care Workers
MONDAY, May 19, 2025 -- Overwork in health care workers is associated with structural brain changes, particularly in regions linked to cognition and emotion, according to a study...
Greater Sedentary Time Associated With Higher Risk for Alzheimer Disease
FRIDAY, May 16, 2025 -- Sedentary time is associated with an increased risk for Alzheimer disease (AD), according to a study published online May 13 in Alzheimer's &...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.