Editorial

To View or Not to View: Television and Mental Health

Authors: Joe Verghese, MD

Abstract

Fogel and Carlson1 report in this issue of the Southern Medical Journalthat talk shows or soap operas as a favorite television category were associated with poorer scores on various cognitive measures in a cross-sectional analysis of 289 older women. While several observational studies have reported on the association between increased participation in cognitively stimulating activities and reduced risk of dementia in older adults,2,3 this study examines the flip side of the coin. Is participation in noncognitively stimulating activities associated with increased risk of cognitive decline?

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. Fogel J, Carlson MC. Soap operas and talk shows on television are associated with poorer cognition in older women. South Med J 2006;99 226–233.
 
2. Verghese J, Lipton RB, Katz MJ, et al. Leisure activities and the risk of dementia in the elderly. N Engl J Med 2003;348:2508–2516.
 
3. Fratiglioni L, Paillard-Borg S, Winblad B. An active and socially integrated lifestyle in late life might protect against dementia. Lancet Neurol 2004;3:343–353.
 
4. Katzman R. A neurologist’s view of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Int Psychogeriatr2004;16:259–273.
 
5. Churchill JD, Galvez R, Colcombe S, et al. Exercise, experience and the aging brain. Neurobiol Aging2002;23:941–955.
 
6. Lindstrom HA, Fritsch T, Petot G, et al. The relationships between television viewing in midlife and the development of Alzheimer’s disease in a case-control study. Brain Cogn 2005;58:157–165.
 
7. Petersen RC, Thomas RG, Grundman M, et al. Vitamin E and donepezil for the treatment of mild cognitive impairment. N Engl J Med 2005;352:2379–2388.