Having this type of job could reduce risk of memory issues

By Stephen Beech via SWNS

People in jobs that involve lots of thinking are less likely to suffer memory problems in later life, according to a new study.

Researchers found that the harder your brain works at your job, the less likely you may be to have memory or thinking problems when aged 70.

However, scientists say that the findings, published in the journal Neurology, do not prove that stimulating work prevents mild cognitive impairment; it only show an association.

Study author Dr. Trine Holt Edwin said: “We examined the demands of various jobs and found that cognitive stimulation at work during different stages in life - during your 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s - was linked to a reduced risk of mild cognitive impairment after the age of 70."

“Our findings highlight the value of having a job that requires more complex thinking as a way to possibly maintain memory and thinking in old age.”

The study involved 7,000 people in 305 different occupations in Norway.

The research team measured the degree of cognitive stimulation that participants experienced while working.

They measured the degree of routine manual, routine cognitive, non-routine analytical, and non-routine interpersonal tasks, which are skill sets that different jobs demand.

Routine manual tasks demand speed, and control over equipment, and often involve repetitive motions, typical of factory work.

Routine cognitive tasks demand precision and accuracy of repetitive tasks, such as in bookkeeping and filing.

Non-routine analytical tasks refer to activities that involve analyzing information, engaging in creative thinking and interpreting information for others, while non-routine interpersonal tasks refer to establishing and maintaining personal relationships, motivating others and coaching.

Non-routine cognitive jobs include public relations and computer programming.

The participants were divided into four groups based on the degree of cognitive stimulation that they experienced in their jobs.

The most common job for the group with the highest cognitive demands was teaching, while the most common jobs for the group with the lowest cognitive demands were mail carriers and custodians.

After age 70, the participants completed memory and thinking tests to assess whether they had mild cognitive impairment.

Of those with the lowest cognitive demands, 42 percent were diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment.

But of those with the highest cognitive demands, 27 percent were diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment.

After adjustment for age, sex, education, income and lifestyle factors, the group with the lowest cognitive demands at work had a 66 percent higher risk of mild cognitive impairment compared to the group with the highest cognitive demands at work.

Dr. Edwin, of Oslo University Hospital, Norway, said: “These results indicate that both education and doing work that challenges your brain during your career play a crucial role in lowering the risk of cognitive impairment later in life."

She added: “Further research is required to pinpoint the specific cognitively challenging occupational tasks that are most beneficial for maintaining thinking and memory skills.”