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As a result of analyzing occupational groups in the United States, taxi drivers and ambulance drivers have the lowest probability of dying from Alzheimer's disease among all occupations. Taxi drivers were 1.03% and ambulance drivers were 0.91%, which is significantly lower than the average for general occupations of 1.69%.
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Taxi and ambulance drivers repeatedly navigate complex routes and make immediate decisions in real time every day. This process seems to stimulate the hippocampus of the brain, which is directly related to Alzheimer's disease, and strengthen the cognitive reserve that maintains normal function even when the brain ages.
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However, similar transportation industry occupations such as bus drivers (1.65%), aircraft pilots (2.34%), and ship captains (2.12%) did not have a low mortality rate from Alzheimer's disease. Since these jobs mainly follow a set path, there is no need to navigate complex paths in real time.
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The low mortality rate of taxi and ambulance drivers was not observed in other forms of dementia other than Alzheimer's disease (vascular dementia, unspecified dementia), suggesting that it may be related to changes in the hippocampus, a mechanism specific to Alzheimer's disease.
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What can you do to prevent Alzheimer’s disease?
- Let’s walk more and find new paths.
- Try activities that require spatial exploration (games, puzzles, travel).
- Remember that occupational activities can also affect brain health.
- However, it should be noted that this study does not prove a causal relationship. For example, it is possible that people who become taxi and ambulance drivers may have an inherently lower risk of Alzheimer's disease (selection effect).
