Researchers at Harvard have analyzed the work lives and causes of death for millions of Americans. By comparing data from around 400 professions, they discovered that taxi and ambulance drivers are less likely than others to die from Alzheimer’s disease, the most severe form of dementia.
According to the scientists, their ability to navigate their surroundings helps them stay in this world longer. In contrast, bus drivers lack this advantage, as they typically travel the same routes repeatedly.
“Our findings suggest that the frequent navigation tasks and spatial processing activities performed by taxi and ambulance drivers may be linked to protection against Alzheimer’s disease,” the researchers wrote in their report.
Other Evidence Supporting the New Discovery
This is not the only evidence that navigation is beneficial for long-term brain health. Previous studies have shown, for instance, that training to become a London taxi driver alters the structure of their brains, as reported by BBC Science Focus.
As is well known, London taxi drivers must pass an incredibly challenging test on the streets of the capital. Researchers from University College London (UCL) found that when drivers trained for the test, their hippocampus grew larger, much like a bicep that has done many curls with dumbbells. The hippocampus plays a crucial role in navigation and spatial processing, but it is also the area of the brain that first begins to shrink and fail when Alzheimer’s disease develops.
“There is evidence that spatial orientation and navigation are among the first functions to decline,” noted Hugo Spiers, a professor of cognitive neurobiology who leads the Taxi Brains project at UCL.
According to him, the decline of these functions may even precede memory loss. The increase in hippocampal size due to frequent navigation provides a kind of physical and cognitive reserve that protects against dementia.
Professor Spiers explained that a higher level of education and systematic thinking processes also contribute to cognitive reserve. He believes we could all benefit from sharpening our navigation skills, and one of the best ways to do this is to get outside.
“If I were to triangulate the multitude of evidence we’ve seen in recent years, one of the best things you can do for your brain is to go for a run or take a walk in nature. If possible, head into the woods and try to get a little lost. Don’t rely on GPS; find your way,” said Professor Spiers.
“This means you’re not only thinking spatially, but you’re also active and engaging with nature. All of this, as we know, is beneficial for healthy aging. Go out with friends for extra motivation, as having more social connections also helps against Alzheimer’s disease,” the scientist noted.