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February 12, 2026
Marianne Waldenfels
Groundbreaking long-term study: Speed training reduces Alzheimer's risk by 25%. Plus: 5 evidence-based measures to protect your brain health now
It sounds almost too good to be true: Regular brain training could significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia for up to 20 years. A comprehensive long-term study now provides the strongest evidence yet that cognitive training can indeed bring about lasting changes in the brain.
Published in the journal "Alzheimer's & Dementia" Research work is a long-term follow-up of the ACTIVE study (Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly). The result even amazes experts: Participants who underwent a special speed training for a total of up to 23 hours over a period of three years had a 25 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia within 20 years.
Nearly 3,000 people aged 65 and over participated in the ACTIVE study, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The participants came from six different geographic regions of the USA and showed no significant cognitive impairments at the start. About 25 percent of the participants belonged to ethnic minorities, and the majority were women – an important group, as women are almost twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease as men.
The participants were assigned to different training groups:
Initially, all training groups underwent up to ten sessions over five weeks, twice weekly for 60 to 75 minutes each. About half of the participants also received refresher sessions over a period of three years.
The surprising result: Only the participants in the speed training who also attended the refresher sessions benefited from the protective effect. Memory and logic training showed no effect against dementia.
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In speed training, participants learned to process visual information more quickly and accurately. They had to quickly identify objects on a screen and make decisions about them—similar to driving, where one simultaneously perceives various things in the peripheral visual field and must quickly decide what is important and what is not.
Why this particular form of training protects is not yet fully understood. One possible explanation lies in the difference between implicit and explicit learning. Implicit learning involves unconscious skills like riding a bicycle, while explicit learning involves the conscious acquisition of facts—like learning vocabulary.
Speed training could lead to lasting changes in the brain – a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity. This refers to the brain's ability to adapt and rewire itself through learning over the course of a lifetime.
Another possible mechanism is the development of what is called cognitive reserve. This describes the ability of a healthy brain to resist the effects of early-stage dementia. It is built up over time through factors such as education, mentally stimulating activities, and social interaction.
The speed training used in the study is now available as an exercise called "Double Decision" through the online subscription program BrainHQ . Based on the study results, Albert would initially recommend it to people over the age of 65 – similar to the age group in their study.
However, since brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s can begin decades before the disease manifests, younger people can also benefit from starting training early.
Currently, around 7 million people in the USA live with Alzheimer's. In Germany, approximately 1.8 million people are affected by dementia, with about 1.2 million likely having Alzheimer's disease alone – along with millions of relatives who have to deal with the consequences in everyday life. Every year, an estimated 364,000 to 445,000 new cases are added – a rising trend, as the population is aging.
The good news: According to a 2024 Lancet Commission report, almost half of all dementia cases could be delayed or reduced by addressing certain risk factors.
Get a hearing test – Hearing loss is a risk factor for dementia.
Manage metabolic risks – Keep cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure under control.
Correct vision impairment – Vision loss is considered a risk factor for dementia.
Exercise regularly – Exercise increases circulation and supplies the brain with nutrients. Particularly effective: combining physical and mental activity, such as a meeting during a walk or cognitive training on a home trainer.
Consider shingles vaccination – A growing number of studies suggest that the shingles vaccination could protect against cognitive decline. A large study from 2025 found that vaccinated individuals had a 20 percent lower risk of dementia over a seven-year period.
The data available so far shows: speed training can statistically reduce the risk but does not guarantee that dementia will be avoided. It is a useful tool – but always only part of a complete package of exercise, healthy eating, treatment of risk factors, and social activity.
