A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives suggests that residing in greener areas during midlife can slow cognitive decline in later years. The study involved over 16,000 women and utilized the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to gauge the greenery around their homes.
The findings indicated that greater exposure to greenery was associated with better cognitive function and a slower rate of cognitive decline, particularly among women with lower socioeconomic status and those carrying the APOE-ɛ4 allele, a genetic marker for Alzheimer's disease risk.
Women living in greener neighborhoods showed higher initial cognitive scores and experienced a slower decline over time. This association was most pronounced in economically disadvantaged areas and among APOE-ɛ4 carriers.
These results highlight residential greenness as a potentially modifiable factor that could reduce the risk of dementia. Increasing urban greenery might offer significant cognitive health benefits, especially for individuals with higher genetic risks and those in underprivileged communities. The researchers advocate for further studies to develop targeted strategies that enhance cognitive health through environmental improvements.
SOURCE:
NewsMedical, July 22,2024