Just imagine my surprise at reading Mental 'exercise' linked to faster dementia progression. Meaning that if you keep mentally active, dementia progresses more quickly? Well, not exactly.

The observational study which, by its very nature, cannot prove cause and effect, indicated that fewer subjects who were mentally active developed dementia and, those who did, did so later than those with less exercised brains. Now, that is what I would have expected to read. Not exactly what the headline states, is it?

However, as always, there is more to the story. Researchers were surprised to find that once the mental-exercisers started experiencing dementia and Alzheimer's symptoms, they did so at an 'advanced rate'. In other words, studies are beginning to question if the mind has a cognitive reserve.

Under this theory, the increased mental activity doesn't so much delay onset of symptoms as keep older adults from being impacted by them. When the dementia becomes apparent, it's at an advanced state or with a more rapid mental decline. I guess, that's what the headline was trying to say.

Nonetheless, the wording could have been just a tad more accurate. And, maybe, a little less sensational. Or maybe it's just me.