| Title: | Television and computer use and dementia risk in older adults with limited leisure or social activities: A prospective cohort study |
| Journal: | Alzheimer's & Dementia |
| Published: | 8 Mar 2026 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41795676/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.71259 |
Publication 17451
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Associations between television/computer use and dementia in socially inactive older adults remain unclear, and optimal limits are unknown.</p>
METHODS: We followed 89,671 dementia-free, socially inactive adults aged ≥55 from UK Biobank for a mean of 12.2 years. Adjusted Cox models assessed associations with incident all-cause dementia and subtypes.</p>
RESULTS: Computer use ≤2.4 h/day was associated with lower all-cause dementia risk (hazard ratio [HR] 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.82-0.94), whereas higher use increased risk (HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.05-1.34); patterns were similar for Alzheimer's and vascular dementia. Television viewing showed no association below 2.06 h/day but higher risk thereafter (HR 1.17; 95% CI 1.03-1.32), with a roughly linear increase for vascular dementia. Heavy computer use in apolipoprotein E (APOE) -ε4 homozygotes and higher television viewing in adults < 65 were more harmful.</p>
DISCUSSION: In socially inactive older adults, moderate computer use may be protective, whereas higher computer use and television viewing are linked to increased dementia risk.</p>
15 Keywords
- Aged
- Apolipoproteins E
- Cohort Studies
- Computers
- Dementia
- Female
- Humans
- Leisure Activities
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Prospective Studies
- Risk Factors
- Sedentary Behavior
- Television
- United Kingdom
8 Authors
- Jiaying Li
- Hongliang Xue
- Yue Leng
- Quincy M. Samus
- Milap Nowrangi
- Sarah L. Szanton
- Qian-Li Xue
- Juxnin Li
1 Application
| Application ID | Title |
|---|---|
| 755949 | Accumulated Environmental Factors on Sleep, Mental Health, and Cognitive Outcomes |
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