A study has just been published finding that early reading in childhood can slow the development of Alzheimer’s in old age. It found that reading later in life helps, too, it was able to independently confirm that reading earlier in life additionally helped. As a summary of the research said:

it’s never too late to start, but earlier is better

I’m adding this info to The Best Resources For Showing Students That They Make Their Brain Stronger By Learning, which includes many other resources detailing reading’s effect on the brain.

Here’s an article in Scientific American about the same study.

And here’s a Scientific American article
with even more information on the research.

Smithsonian Magazine also has an article.

And here’s one from USA Today.