Prevention of dementia associated with aging is a public health concern due to its rising prevalence. The general public is also routinely confronted with commercial advertisements for products claiming to be able to prolong cognitive competency, with catchy names such as “neurobics,” which are marketed as “good for the brain” and “clinically proven” to reduce the loss of mental function. This entry focuses on the use of mental exercises to improve cognition and slow the onset of dementia, as well as its relevance to health more broadly.

There is an absence of pharmacological treatment with which to counteract dementia, and consequently, lifestyle factors have become an area of attention in this field. Diet, social engagements, physical activity, and cognitive activity are among the factors thought to ...