The simple act of crossing a road could help shield the brain from dementia and other cognitive conditions, according to new research from the Australian Catholic University and UNSW Sydney's Center for Healthy Brain Aging (CHeBA). The study found that people who lived in cities and frequently crossed intersections or relied on complex navigational skills had larger hippocampal tails.

. . .

"According to our research into the cognitive impact of urban environments, the more an older adult exercises memory and spatial tasks, the healthier and more protective their brain becomes," Dr. Poudel, a neuroscientist with ACU's Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research (MMIHR), said.

"Older adults who live in complex urban environments, especially walkable cities, tended to have larger hippocampi since they are more likely to engage the part of the brain responsible for cognitive mapping and spatial navigation.

. . .

Clues from professional drivers

Dr. Poudel said the joint research into the cognitive effect of neighborhoods on older Australians was consistent with studies into the brains of London taxi drivers, who are expected to memorize a mind-boggling 25,000 streets, which showed they had larger hippocampi due to having intense navigational and memorization demands.

Another study from Harvard University showed taxi and ambulance drivers were less likely to die from Alzheimer's disease, compared with other occupations.

"Our findings raise the possibility that older adults who perform navigational and spatial processing tasks frequently might increase their protection against Alzheimer's disease," Dr. Poudel said.

. . .