Too much television may be linked to brain changes

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Watching large amounts of television during midlife may be linked to changes in the brain later in life, according to new research published in the journal Alzheimer’s and Dementia. People who reported watching TV more frequently had smaller brain volumes decades later in regions involved in language, memory, and thinking. Meanwhile, time spent sitting at work was associated with healthier brain measures, suggesting that not all sedentary activities affect the brain in the same way. Researchers say the findings highlight the importance of considering how people spend their inactive time, not simply how long they sit.

Source

Feter N, Nanda A, Hourihan S, et al. Associations of distinct sedentary behaviors with cortical, subcortical, and white matter hyperintensity volumes: Evidence from the ARIC study. Alzheimer’s & Dementia. 2026;22(7):e71582. doi:10.1002/alz.71582

Additional Reading

https://www.cnn.com/2026/08/08/health/television-brain-dementia-sedentary-health-wellness

https://www.verywellhealth.com/watching-tv-rots-brain-12024731

https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/too-much-tv-might-be-bad-for-your-brain