Melbourne, Oct. 30 -- Listening to or playing music later in life may substantially reduce the risk of dementia, according to an Australian-led study of more than 10,800 older people.
The research found that people aged over 70 who always listened to music had a 39 percent lower risk of developing dementia compared with those who never, rarely or sometimes did so, according to a statement released Thursday by Australia's Monash University, which led the study.
Those always listening to music also had a 17 percent lower incidence of cognitive impairment, as well as higher scores in overall cognition and episodic memory, used when recalling everyday events, it said.
Playing a musical instrument was associated with a 35 percent reduction in...