NavList:

      Upon the possible link between reliance on electronic navigational aids and an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's

There’s always the possibility that poor editing will lead to the wrong conclusions being drawn.  E.g. combining the quite reasonable theory that over reliance on electronic aids might reduce basic navigational prowess with the oft declared and quite believable ‘use it or lose it' principle applied to ageing and the human brain, doesn’t allow you to say that using electronic aids might accelerate the onset of Alzheimer’s disease in the same way that you might say “Smoking can accelerate the onset of lung cancer”.

In fact, you could forward quite the opposite argument, which is probably equally suspect.  E.g, if physical and mental exercise appear to delay the cognitive impairment associated with ageing, it’s best to be as active as possible for as long as possible, and electronic aids to both navigation and even physical movement can extend ones opportunities for such activity.

I for one, who until recently thought I’d never use an in-car GPS, would no longer dream of attempting to map-read while driving in a strange city when I can rely on the lady in my GPS set.  It’s not so much that I can’t navigate logically, it’s the city planners attempts to get everyone to drive around three sides of a rectangle or two sides of a triangle combined with the fact that inconsiderate locals seem to know exactly where they’re going and do so at speed that confuses my 72 year old brain.  I say, if it’s there, use it, but keep half an eye all the other indicators around you at the same time.  DaveP