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Heavy TV viewing may raise Alzheimer’s risk

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Spending long hours watching television in middle age may be linked to brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease later in life, according to a new study suggesting not all sedentary activities carry the same risks.

The research, published in *Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association*, followed more than 1,700 adults for nearly 24 years. Researchers recorded participants’ television viewing habits in midlife before later examining their brains using MRI scans.

The study found that men who watched large amounts of television had changes in several brain regions considered vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease. Those changes included more white matter damage linked to cognitive decline and dementia, as well as smaller frontal and occipital lobes, which play important roles in decision-making, planning and visual processing.

Researchers did not find the same association in women.

One surprising finding was that people whose jobs required prolonged sitting did not show the same brain changes, suggesting that passive television viewing may affect the brain differently than other forms of sedentary behavior.

The researchers also found that regular exercise alone did not eliminate the association between heavy TV viewing and the observed brain changes.

The results do not mean television itself is harmful, but rather that long periods of passive viewing may displace activities that help maintain brain health, such as exercise, social interaction and mentally stimulating hobbies.

The study did not distinguish between different types of programming. However, some experts believe educational programs, documentaries and complex dramas may provide more mental engagement than passive viewing.

Neurologists also recommend making television time more active by turning on closed captions, discussing programs with others or combining viewing with light exercise such as walking on a treadmill, stretching or using a stationary bike.

Researchers emphasized that more studies are needed to better understand why the link was found primarily in men. They suggest longer uninterrupted viewing sessions, along with biological and hormonal differences, may help explain the finding.

Source: News Channel 8

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