Reading books for pleasure is associated with improved memory, concentration, emotional state, and reduced risk of developing dementia in old age. Researchers at the University of Cambridge (UK) came to this conclusion after analyzing the results of several scientific studies on the impact of reading on brain health at different stages of life.
Results of the scientific review were published in the journal Psychological Medicine. The authors were Cambridge University psychiatry professor Barbara Sahakian, researcher Kristelle Langley, and head of the charity The Queen's Reading Room Vicky Perrin. A detailed analysis of the results 1 November was published by the popular science publication PsyPost.
Researchers examined data from large-scale observations of children and adults, long-term studies of cognitive health in the elderly, and results of brain magnetic resonance imaging.
One of the largest was the American Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, which covered 10 243 children. Scientists observed participants aged from 9–11 to 11–13 years, assessing their reading habits, cognitive abilities, and psychological state.
About 52% of participants started reading for pleasure in early childhood. Later, they demonstrated better results in tests of working memory, attention, and information retention compared to children who read little or not at all.
In addition, among children who read regularly, there were lower levels of stress, depressive symptoms, and behavioral problems. They also spent less time in front of electronic device screens and, on average, slept longer.
Studies using MRI revealed differences in the brain structure of participants. In children who started reading at an early age, there were larger volumes of gray matter and surface areas of the cortex in some 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.
Within this study, the most pronounced positive associations were observed with reading for approximately 12 hours per week. However, the researchers emphasize that this figure should not be considered a universal norm or proven optimal reading duration.
The authors paid special attention to the impact of reading on the health of elderly people.
In one of the studies examined, which included 469 individuals aged over 75 years, regular reading was associated with a reduction in the risk of developing dementia by approximately 35%. The participants were observed for an average of 5.1 years.
Another long-term study involving 1962 individuals aged over 64 years showed that reading at least once a week was associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline over 14 years. This pattern was observed regardless of the participants' level of education.
Scientists link the possible protective effect to the formation 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 attention. Furthermore, literary fiction activates 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 surveys analyzed, which covered 4164 individuals, 64% of respondents who read for at least 30 minutes per week noted that reading helps them better understand the feelings of others. Among those who did not read, the corresponding figure was 48%.
Meanwhile, 38% of surveyed readers named books the best way to reduce stress.
The authors also noted the benefits of joint reading and participation in book clubs. According to a number of studies, such activities can help reduce feelings of loneliness and improve social connections, especially among older people.
At the same time, researchers note a worrying trend of declining interest in reading among children and teenagers. According to surveys by the British organization National Literacy Trust, in 2024–2025 the indicators of regular reading and interest in books continued to decline, especially among boys aged 11–16.
In the opinion of scientists, popularizing reading can become a relatively accessible way to support the intellectual activity and psychological well-being of the population. This is not only about printed books, but also about electronic publications, magazines, comics, and other textual materials that people choose at their own discretion.
However, the authors emphasize that most of the studies analyzed were observational. The identified link between reading and brain health does not prove that reading directly prevents dementia or other diseases. It is also possible that people with initially stronger health more often maintain the habit of reading.
To confirm the causal relationship, additional experimental studies are needed.
The authors of the scientific publication believe that further study of the impact of reading on cognitive functions can help develop accessible programs for the prevention of age-related decline in intellectual abilities and support for mental health.
Source: Psychological Medicine, University of Cambridge, 15 September 2026.
