ABSTRACT
Introduction It is often asserted in the popular literature on ageing (e.g., Restak, 1997; Rowe & Kahn, 1998) that engaging in an active lifestyle and particularly in undertaking mentally demanding activities on a regular basis helps maintain good cognitive functioning – a view summed up by the slogan, “Use it or lose it!” A number of empirical studies have addressed the issue, involving a wide variety of methods and have produced somewhat mixed results for the “Use it or lose it” hypothesis.
