According to Experts.news, reading books for pleasure is associated with improved memory, concentration, and emotional well-being, as well as a reduced risk of developing dementia in old age. Researchers at the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom) reached this conclusion after analyzing the results of a series of scientific studies on the impact of reading on brain health at different stages of life.
The results of the systematic review were published in the journal *Psychological Medicine*. The authors were Barbara Sahakian, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Cambridge; researcher Christel Langley; and Vicky Perrin, director of the charity The Queen’s Reading Room. A detailed analysis of the findings was published on November 1 by the popular science publication *PsyPost*.
The researchers examined data from large-scale observational studies of children and adults, long-term studies of cognitive health in older adults, and results from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the brain.
One of the largest studies was the U.S.-based Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, which included 10,243 children. Scientists monitored participants aged 9–11 through 11–13, assessing their reading habits, cognitive abilities, and psychological well-being.
About 52% of the participants began reading for pleasure in early childhood. Later on, they demonstrated better results on tests of working memory, attention, and information retention compared to children who read little or not at all.
In addition, children who read regularly showed lower levels of stress, depressive symptoms, and behavioral problems. They also spent less time in front of electronic screens and, on average, slept longer.
An MRI study revealed differences in the participants’ brain structure. Children who began reading at an early age had greater volumes of gray matter and larger cortical surface areas in certain regions associated with language processing, memory, attention, and emotional regulation.
These associations persisted even after statistical adjustments for age, gender, family socioeconomic status, parental education, and other factors.
In this study, the strongest positive associations were observed among those who read about 12 hours per week. However, the researchers emphasize that this figure should not be considered a universal standard or a proven optimal amount of reading time.
The authors paid particular attention to the impact of reading on the health of older adults.
In one of the studies reviewed, which included 469 people over the age of 75, regular reading was associated with a roughly 35% reduction in the risk of developing dementia. Participants were followed for an average of 5.1 years.
Another long-term study involving 1,962 people over the age of 64 showed that reading at least once a week was associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline over a 14-year period. This pattern was observed regardless of the participants’ educational level.
Scientists attribute the potential protective effect to the development of what is known as “cognitive reserve”—the brain’s ability to maintain intellectual functions despite age-related changes.
Reading stimulates information processing, imagination, memory, and concentration. In addition, fiction activates the neural networks involved in understanding the emotions and intentions of others.
Positive associations were also found regarding the psychological well-being of adults.
According to one of the analyzed surveys, which included 4,164 participants, 64% of respondents who read for at least 30 minutes per week reported that reading helps them better understand other people’s feelings. Among those who did not read, the corresponding figure was 48%.
At the same time, 38% of readers surveyed cited books as the best way to reduce stress.
The authors also highlighted the benefits of reading together and participating in book clubs. According to a number of studies, such activities can help reduce feelings of loneliness and improve social connections, especially among older adults.
At the same time, researchers note an alarming trend of declining interest in reading among children and adolescents. According to surveys by the British organization National Literacy Trust, in 2024–2025, rates of regular reading and interest in books continued to decline, particularly among boys aged 11–16.
According to the researchers, promoting reading could be a relatively accessible way to support intellectual activity and psychological well-being among the population. This applies not only to printed books but also to e-books, magazines, comics, and other text-based materials that people choose of their own accord.
However, the authors emphasize that most of the studies analyzed were observational in nature. The observed link between reading and brain health does not prove that reading itself directly prevents dementia or other diseases. It is also possible that people who are healthier to begin with are more likely to maintain the habit of reading.
Additional experimental studies are needed to confirm a cause-and-effect relationship.
The authors of the scientific paper believe that further study of the impact of reading on cognitive functions could help develop accessible programs to prevent age-related decline in intellectual abilities and support mental health.
Original source: Psychological Medicine, University of Cambridge, September 15, 2026.
