title: Playing board games, cognitive decline and dementia: a French population-based cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the relationship between board game playing and risk of subsequent dementia in the Paquid cohort.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective population-based study.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the Bordeaux area in South Western France.
  
  
  METHODS
  3675 non-demented participants at baseline.
  
  
  METHODS
  The risk of dementia during the 20 years of follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 3675 non-demented participants at baseline, 32.2% reported regular board game playing. Eight-hundred and forty participants developed dementia during the 20 years of follow-up. The risk of dementia was 15% lower in board game players than in non-players (HR=0.85, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.99; p=0.04) after adjustment on age, gender, education and other confounders. The statistical significance disappeared after supplementary adjustment on baseline mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and depression (HR=0.96, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.12; p=0.61). However, board game players had less decline in their MMSE score during the follow-up of the cohort (β=0.011, p=0.03) and less incident depression than non-players (HR=0.84; 95% CI 0.72 to 0.98; p<0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A possible beneficial effect of board game playing on the risk of dementia could be mediated by less cognitive decline and less depression in elderly board game players.
authors.affiliation: INSERM U 897, Université Bordeaux Ségalen, Bordeaux cedex, France.
authors.forename: Jean François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Dartigues
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Foubert-Samier
authors.forename: Mélanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Le Goff
authors.forename: Mélanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Viltard
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Amieva
authors.forename: Jean Marc
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Orgogozo
authors.forename: Pascale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barberger-Gateau
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Helmer
keywords: Epidemiology; PUBLIC HEALTH