Digital dementia in the internet generation: excessive screen time during brain development will increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in adulthood

Abstract

Converging evidence from biopsychosocial research in humans and animals demonstrates that chronic sensory stimulation (via excessive screen exposure) a fects brain development increasing the risk of cognitive, emotional, and behavioural disorders in adolescents and young adults. Emerging evidence suggests that some of these effects are similar to those seen in adults with symptoms of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the early stages of dementia, including impaired concentration, orientation, acquisition of recent memories (anterograde amnesia), recall of past memories (retrograde amnesia), social functioning, and self-care. Excessive screen time is known to alter gray matter and white volumes in the brain, increase the risk of mental disorders, and impair acquisition of memories and learning which are known risk factors for dementia. Chronic sensory overstimulation (i.e., excessive screen time) during brain development increases the risk of accelerated neurodegeneration in adulthood (i.e., amnesia, early onset dementia). This relationship is a fected by several mediating/moderating factors (e.g., IQ decline, learning impairments and mental illness). We hypothesize that excessive screen exposure during critical periods of development in Generation Z will lead to mild cognitive impairments in early to middle adulthood resulting in substantially increased rates of early onset dementia in later adulthood. We predict that from 2060 to 2100, the rates of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) will increase significantly, far above the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) projected estimates of a two-fold increase, to upwards of a four-to-six-fold increase. The CDC estimates are based entirely on factors related to the age, sex, race and ethnicity of individuals born before 1950 who did not have access to mobile digital technology during critical periods of brain development. Compared to previous generations, the average 17-19-year-old spends approximately 6 hours a day on mobile digital devices (MDD) (smartphones, tablets, and laptop computers) whereas individuals born before 1950 at the same age spent zero. Our estimates include the documented e fects of excessive screen time on individuals born a ter 1980, Millennials and Generation Z, who will be the majority of individuals ≥65 years old. An estimated 4-to-6-fold increase in rates of ADRD post-2060 will result in widespread societal and economic distress and the complete collapse of already overburdened healthcare systems in developed countries. Preventative measures must be set in place immediately including investments and interventions in public education, social policy, laws, and healthcare.

Association Between Internet Use, Cognitive Function, and Globus Pallidus Volumes: A Study Among the Elderly in Chinese Communities

“…Since these studies did not specifically examine the link between internet use and MCI, we could say that we were the first to find that internet use might help reduce the risk of MCI. But we have to point out, studies have shown that heavy use of electronic devices (i.e., more than 2–3 h/day exposure to electronic media including computers, television, and mobile devices such as tablets, smartphones, and laptops) cloud also increase the risk of cognitive impairment ( 23 ). Therefore, we recommend that the elderly should not spend more than 2 h on the computer on a daily basis.…”

Zehn Jahre Digitale Demenz

“…Ihre Begründung in aller Kürze: „Die CDC-Schätzungen beruhen ausschließlich auf Faktoren in Bezug auf Alter, Geschlecht, Rasse und ethnische Zugehörigkeit von Personen, die vor 1950 geboren sind und die in kritischen Phasen der Gehirnentwicklung keinen Zugang zu mobiler digitaler Technologie hatten. Im Gegensatz zu früheren Generationen verbringt der durchschnittliche 17- bis 19-Jährige etwa 6 Stunden pro Tag mit mobilen digitalen Geräten (Smartphones, Tablets und Laptops) während Personen, die vor 1950 geboren wurden, im gleichen Alter null Stunden damit verbrachten“ 30 . Und dann fassen die Autoren zusammen, was man über die negativen Auswirkungen digitaler Informationstechnik auf Gehirnentwicklung und Bildung weiß.…”

“…noch kommen werden. liche 17-bis 19-Jährige etwa 6 Stunden pro Tag mit mobilen digitalen Geräten (Smartphones, Tablets und Laptops) während Personen, die vor 1950 geboren wurden, im gleichen Alter null Stunden damit verbrachten"[30]. Und dann fassen die Autoren zusammen, was man über die negativen Auswirkungen digitaler Informationstechnik auf Gehirnentwicklung und Bildung weiß.Aus meiner Sicht geht es hierbei letztlich um Folgerungen aus der wichtigsten Erkenntnis im Bereich der Neurowissenschaften im letzten halben Jahrhundert, der Neuroplastizität.…”

Balance Therapy With Hands-Free Mobile Robotic Feedback for At-Home Training Across the Lifespan

“…However, the effect of interactive real visual cues on balance training performance remains unknown. Further, screen-based technology has potential health consequences with excessive use including links to digital fatigue, attention deficits, and neurodegeneration [38]- [40], and may also affect memory recall [41]. Therefore, alternative feedback mechanisms for at-home therapy that do not rely on a screen are needed.…”