A large US study is investigating whether crossword puzzles can slow down mental decline. The research builds on surprising results that elevate classic puzzles over digital brain training.
Researchers at Columbia and Duke University are currently ramping up recruitment for the crucial one THINK-2-Study. They want to finally clarify whether regular crossword puzzle solving can protect people with mild forgetfulness from dementia. The study is considered the most rigorous scientific test of the “low-tech” method to date.
240 people will take part in the study and will be followed over 78 weeks. One group solves four puzzles per week, the other only one. The scientists not only measure memory performance, but also look directly into the brain using MRI scans. There they examine changes in regions such as the hippocampus, which are closely linked to Alzheimer’s.
“We need to prove whether this inexpensive, home-based intervention has a neuroprotective effect,” explains the study leader. The first promising clues come from an earlier study. It showed that patients who puzzled had less brain shrinkage than those who trained on the computer.
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Texas study provides tailwind: intensity is everything
Current data from Texas A&M University supports the basic idea. At the end of 2024, researchers found that older people with mild memory problems performed significantly better when they were intensively involved in challenging hobbies such as word games.
The “high-level” group not only showed better values in memory and processing speed. Their cognitive levels also remained more stable over time. This supports the core hypothesis: what matters frequency and intensity – so almost daily training.
Why does the old puzzle beat the modern app?
The renaissance of the crossword puzzle in research has a clear reason. Many digital “brain games” often only train simple reaction patterns. A crossword puzzle challenges the brain in a more complex way.
It activates that semantic memory – our long-term knowledge of facts and terms. At the same time, executive functions such as problem solving are trained. For older brains, this familiar but demanding task appears to be more accessible and effective than new, sometimes overwhelming digital interfaces.
A paradigm shift for dementia prevention?
If COGIT-2 proves its effectiveness, a worldwide and almost free prevention option would be available. That would be a turning point. To date, expensive technological solutions have often dominated the market.
The pressure on providers of digital health apps would increase. If a newspaper puzzle is more effective than a subscription app, the tech industry would have to fundamentally rethink its concepts. The results of the COGIT-2 study are eagerly awaited. Until then, daily puzzles are more than just a way to pass the time – they are an investment in mental fitness.
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