Abstract
Background: Engagement in cognitive leisure activities during early adulthood has been linked to preserved memory and larger hippocampal volume in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective: To investigate which specific types of cognitive leisure activities contribute to hippocampal volume and memory. Methods: We investigated links between three types of cognitive activities (Reading-Writing, Art-Music, Games-Hobbies) and (a) hippocampal volume within independent samples of Italian (n=187) and American (n=55) MS patients and (b) memory in subsamples of Italian (n=97) and American (n=53) patients. Results: Reading-Writing was the only predictor of hippocampal volume (rp=.204, p=.002), and the best predictor of memory (rp=.288, p=.001). Conclusions: Findings inform the development of targeted evidence-based enrichment programs aiming to bolster reserve against memory decline.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1621-1625 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Multiple Sclerosis |
Volume | 22 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Oct 1 2016 |
Keywords
- cognitive reserve
- enriched environments
- hippocampal volume
- Multiple sclerosis
- neurogenesis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neurology
- Clinical Neurology