Mental decline may begin at 45-years-old

According to a study published in England, cognitive function may begin to decline as early as 45-years-old. Previously, it was believed that the changes occurred much later, around 60-years-old. The study concluded with marked declines in tests of memory, reasoning and comprehension.

The study which was published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) had collected data from test scores of 5,200 males and 2,200 females. The team of researchers from across Europe ran the data collection, as part of the Whitehall 2 Cohort study, which began decades ago in 1985. It followed British civil servants from age 45 to 70-years-old, with groups given tests multiple times over the span of 10 years.

The study showed that with the exception of vocabulary skills, all scores declined over all age categories, meaning that they noticed a decline as early as 45-years-old. Of particular note was the decline in reasoning scores among males and females aged 45 to 50-years-old with a drop of almost four per cent for both sexes. For those aged 65 to 70-years-old the results showed a decline in the male's scores of almost 10 per cent and approximately seven per cent for the female's scores.

"These results are well established in the literature but they don't tell the whole story," said Professor Jane Dywan of the Psychology Department at Brock University. She notes that, in this study, all the tests were timed and we know that information processing speed declines with age, so that could account for some of the apparent losses across the various tests.

These standardized tests do not assess cognitive abilities associated with older adults' areas of expertise.

"Despite age-related change across many bodily systems, experience and the use of strategies can allow healthy older adults to function at high levels well into their later years," she said.

As for the idea that after 25-years-old people stop producing new brain cells – it doesn't hold water.

"Regions of the brain associated with memory continue to produce new cells well into our later years, but these cells can die off easily unless they are put to use through learning and problem solving. Also, they are susceptible to high levels of stress. So, the trick is to keep cognitively active and enjoy life.

For those worried about mental decline there are a few things which Dywan recommends.

"Besides keeping involved and avoiding stress and tobacco use, and keeping a healthy diet, level of exercise, keeping excess weight off and lots of vigorous exercise activity levels are important in slowing brain decline. Cardiovascular health is particularly important, which can help keep your heart, respiratory and overall health in check," she said. Diet recommendations included a healthy combination of vegetables and fruits high in anti-oxidants, lots of B vitamins from grains and legumes, omega-3 fatty acids from cold-water fish, and vitamin D, since we rarely get enough of it in northern regions.

For more information on the study check out http://bit.ly/wetsLS