Imagine if spending just a couple of hours a week on a simple computer game could help keep your brain sharper as you age. That’s exactly what a new landmark study suggests: a specific brain-training game, played for about two hours a week, may lower your risk of developing dementia by roughly 25%. It sounds almost too good to be true, and it’s understandable to feel both hopeful and skeptical at the same time.


In this article, we’ll break down what the research actually found, what this “Double Decision” game is, how it may protect your thinking skills, and how to realistically fit this kind of training into your life—without ignoring the other proven habits that support long-term brain health.

Older adult using a computer to play a brain training game
Structured brain-training games like Double Decision are being studied as tools to support healthy aging.

Why Dementia Prevention Matters More Than Ever

Dementia affects millions of people worldwide, and the numbers are rising as we live longer. It doesn’t just change memory—it can alter personality, independence, and relationships. Many people watch a parent, partner, or grandparent go through this and wonder, “Is there anything I can do to lower my risk?”


While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent dementia, research over the last decade has made it clear that our lifestyle—how we move, eat, sleep, manage stress, and stay mentally engaged—can influence our brain health. The new study on the Double Decision game adds an intriguing, more targeted tool to this toolbox.


What the Study Actually Found About the Double Decision Game

The new findings build on a large, long-term study of older adults that examined whether different types of brain training could help people stay mentally sharper and more independent. One of those trainings was a speed-of-processing game called Double Decision.


Participants who used the Double Decision game for roughly 2 hours per week over the training period showed about a 25% lower risk of developing dementia compared with those who did not receive this training. Neurologist Dr. Marilyn Albert, a leading dementia expert not involved in the original training design, described the results as “stunning” because so few interventions have shown such an effect.

“We are beginning to see that targeted cognitive training may play a role in delaying the onset of dementia, particularly when combined with other healthy lifestyle factors.” — Summary perspective based on emerging dementia-prevention research.

It’s crucial to note: this is a relative risk reduction, not a promise that you’ll avoid dementia. Some people who trained still developed dementia, and some who didn’t train stayed well. But on a population level, a 25% reduction is meaningful.


How the Double Decision Brain Game Works

Double Decision is not your typical casual puzzle or word game. It belongs to a category called speed-of-processing training. The game is designed to challenge:

  • Your ability to quickly recognize targets in your central vision (what’s right in front of you).
  • Your ability to notice and respond to things in your peripheral vision (near the edges of what you can see).
  • Your processing speed—how rapidly your brain can take in information and make decisions.

In a typical round, you might:

  1. See a brief display with a central object (like a car) and a different object or symbol in your peripheral vision.
  2. The display disappears quickly.
  3. You’re asked: “What did you see in the center?” and “Where did the other object appear?”
  4. As you improve, the images appear more briefly and in more crowded, complex scenes.
Senior adult focused on a computer screen doing cognitive training
Speed-of-processing exercises push your brain to take in and react to visual information more quickly and accurately.

How Much Brain Training Is Enough? The “2 Hours a Week” Guideline

In the study, benefits were associated with completing a structured training schedule that averaged around 2 hours per week. That doesn’t mean more is always better. Like physical exercise, the brain needs challenge plus recovery.


A realistic weekly plan might look like:

  • 4 sessions per week of 30 minutes each, or
  • 6 sessions of about 20 minutes, spread across the week.

You don’t have to be perfect. What matters is consistency over months and years, not perfection every week.


Brain Training vs. Everyday Puzzles: Is There a Difference?

You might be wondering: “Why can’t I just do crosswords or sudoku?” Those activities are excellent for keeping your brain engaged, and they’re absolutely worth continuing. However, the Double Decision study tested a very specific kind of training with carefully measured difficulty and timing.


The main differences between structured games like Double Decision and casual puzzles are:

  • Targeted skill: Double Decision trains visual processing speed and peripheral awareness, not just vocabulary or logic.
  • Adaptive difficulty: As you improve, the game becomes harder in very small, controlled steps.
  • Measurable progress: Many training platforms provide feedback on your performance over time.

That said, researchers still encourage a mix of mental activities—reading, socializing, learning new skills, and hobbies—alongside any formal brain training.

Older couple doing puzzles together at a table
Traditional puzzles are great for cognitive engagement, but targeted digital training may add an extra layer of benefit.

Common Obstacles: “I’m Not Tech-Savvy” and Other Real-World Barriers

Many people like the idea of brain training but run into very human challenges. You might recognize some of these:

  • Technology anxiety: Feeling overwhelmed by apps, logins, or subscriptions.
  • Frustration: Worry that “I’m too slow” or “I’m bad at games.”
  • Time pressure: Caring for others, working, or managing health issues leaves little extra time.

When I worked with an 82-year-old retired teacher (let’s call her Maria), she nearly quit after her first week of training. The game felt too fast; she worried it meant she was “losing it.” After we slowed things down—shorter sessions, lower starting difficulty, and clear reassurance that struggling is part of the training—she found a rhythm. Over several months, she reported feeling more confident driving and less mentally “foggy” in the afternoon. Her story echoes what many participants in cognitive training studies describe: the challenge is real, but so is the sense of accomplishment.


Step-by-Step: How to Safely Add Brain Training to Your Routine

If you’re interested in using Double Decision–style training to support your brain health, here’s a practical approach:

  1. Talk with your healthcare provider.
    Especially if you already have memory concerns, vision issues, seizures, or other neurological conditions. They can help you decide if this is appropriate for you and how to monitor your progress.
  2. Choose a reputable platform.
    Look for programs that:
    • Are based on peer-reviewed research.
    • Disclose their scientific studies clearly.
    • Offer accessible design (adjustable text, contrast, and audio cues).
  3. Start small and consistent.
    Begin with 10–15 minute sessions, 3 times per week, and build up toward about 2 hours per week if it feels manageable.
  4. Track how you feel—not just your scores.
    Notice changes in everyday life: focus, reaction time (for example, while driving), mental fatigue, or confidence.
  5. Pair it with lifestyle habits that support brain health.
    Use brain training as one piece of a broader brain-healthy lifestyle.
Treat brain training like a health appointment with yourself—scheduled, intentional, and paired with other healthy habits.

Beyond Games: Other Evidence-Based Ways to Protect Brain Health

Research from organizations such as the World Health Organization and the Alzheimer’s Association highlights several lifestyle factors linked to lower dementia risk. These won’t guarantee protection but can work alongside brain training:

  • Regular physical activity: Aim for at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise (such as brisk walking), plus strength training.
  • Heart-healthy nutrition: Patterns like the Mediterranean or MIND diet—rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, beans, and healthy fats—are associated with better cognitive outcomes.
  • Quality sleep: Most adults benefit from 7–9 hours of restful sleep; chronic sleep deprivation is linked with higher dementia risk.
  • Managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes: What’s good for your heart is generally good for your brain.
  • Social connection and purpose: Regular interaction and meaningful activities appear to protect against cognitive decline.
  • Avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol: Both can damage the brain and blood vessels over time.
Group of seniors walking together outdoors and socializing
Brain health isn’t just about what happens on a screen—movement, food, sleep, and relationships all play powerful roles.

Before & After: What Changes Can You Realistically Expect?

In research settings, improvements are often measured with reaction-time tests, driving simulations, or cognitive assessments—not just how “sharp” someone feels. While everyone is different, people who stick with speed-of-processing training often report:

Before regular training

  • Feeling mentally “sluggish” later in the day.
  • Missing details while driving or walking in busy environments.
  • Needing more time to react in conversations or while multitasking.

After months of consistent training

  • Greater confidence in busy or noisy settings.
  • Quicker reactions to visual cues (for example, while driving).
  • A subjective sense of being more “mentally awake.”

These are trends, not guarantees. Some people notice subtle changes; others feel more dramatic improvements. A few may not feel much difference at all. That variability is exactly why scientists continue to study who benefits most and why.


What Experts Say About Brain-Training Games and Dementia Risk

Major health organizations remain cautious but open-minded about brain-training programs. The consensus looks something like this:

  • Some targeted cognitive training, like the Double Decision–style game, shows promising evidence for reducing dementia risk.
  • Many commercial brain-game apps do not have strong scientific backing, even if their marketing suggests otherwise.
  • Brain training appears to work best as part of a comprehensive brain-health strategy, not as a stand-alone solution.

“We encourage activities that challenge the brain, but we also remind people to be wary of bold claims. Look for tools grounded in high-quality, peer-reviewed research.” — Paraphrased guidance consistent with statements from leading neurological and dementia organizations.

When evaluating any program, it’s wise to ask: What specific studies support this? Are those studies independent and peer-reviewed, or conducted solely by the company selling the product?


Putting It All Together: A Hopeful, Grounded Approach to Brain Health

The idea that a simple, structured brain game—played for about 2 hours a week—might reduce dementia risk by around 25% is both encouraging and humbling. Encouraging, because it means our brains may be more adaptable than we once believed. Humbling, because no single tool can override genetics, aging, or all the complexities of brain disease.


If you’d like to take action, consider this practical starting point:

  • Schedule a conversation with your doctor about your brain health goals.
  • Explore a reputable Double Decision–style training program and try brief, regular sessions.
  • Strengthen one other brain-healthy habit this month—more walking, better sleep, or a new social activity.

You don’t have to change everything at once. Small, consistent steps—on a screen, on your plate, on your feet, and in your relationships—can add up over time. Your future self may thank you for the care you’re investing in your brain today.