Do Crossword Puzzles Actually Help with Memory Loss?

Crossword puzzles have long been celebrated as a fun way to keep your brain sharp, but do they really help prevent or slow memory loss? Research indicates that they do!

Below, our team of experts at the Link Neuroscience Institute explores the topic in more detail and explains how crossword puzzles can help those with neurodegenerative disorders and memory decline.

How crossword puzzles can help with memory loss

It’s no secret that working on mentally stimulating activities like crossword puzzles can improve your vocabulary, enhance your problem-solving skills, and strengthen neural connections. This is exactly why crossword puzzles can help with memory. 

All of this is essential for memory retention.

Improved vocabulary

Improved vocabulary supports your memory by strengthening word recall and comprehension skills. Word recall is especially important for those struggling to find the right word.

Improved problem-solving skills

Increased problem-solving challenges your brain to think critically and adapt to new situations, which also helps reinforce neural pathways. 

Strengthened neural connections

When you learn or experience something new, these neural pathways — a series of connected neurons that transmit signals from one part of your brain to another — strengthen through repetition and use. 

This process is called synaptic plasticity.

To sum it up, stronger neural pathways make accessing stored memories and integrating new information easier.

Effectiveness of crossword puzzles for those struggling with memory issues

But how does this help those already struggling with mild cognitive impairment? Studies show that regularly doing puzzles can delay the onset of memory decline associated with aging or conditions like dementia.

According to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine, crossword puzzles help improve cognitive scores. In fact, 37.3% of people who worked on electronic crossword puzzles saw an improvement of two (or more) points on the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive (ADAS-Cog) by the end of the 78-week study. 

A two-point change is good! In clinical trials, a two-point improvement may signify that a treatment (in this case, the crossword puzzles) is having a positive effect, particularly in the short term. Conversely, a two-point decline could indicate the progression of the disease.

This is in contrast to other non-crossword digital games. Only 25% of people in the games-only group saw an improvement in their ADAS-Cog scores.

How to support your memory

Crossword puzzles are good for your brain but are not a cure-all. Combining puzzles with a brain-healthy lifestyle, such as regular exercise, a nutritious diet (especially rich in turmeric, fatty fish, blueberries, and nuts), and social interaction, can help keep your brain sharp.

How our team can help

If you’re concerned about memory loss, don’t stop at crosswords — consider scheduling a consultation at our Camarillo, Santa Barbara, or Oxnard, California, office. Our team of highly specialized neurologists can help identify any issues with your memory and, if needed, slow down the progression of cognitive decline with medications like cholinesterase inhibitors or aducanumab. 

Our team can also recommend medication paired with lifestyle changes like exercising and eating right — this is particularly helpful for those who need to lower blood pressure levels to help with vascular dementia.

To get started, call the location of your choice or simply click here.