More of us are living longer, but although our bodies are enduring better, our brains don’t always show the same resilience. Could science extend our neurological health to keep pace with physical longevity?
Cognitive decline refers to the slowing or dulling of our memory, concentration and ability to think. It’s quite common to become more forgetful as we age – failing to remember someone’s name, say, or what we set out to buy at the shops.
Increasingly frequent episodes might, though, indicate cognitive impairment – when the rate of decline is faster than we would expect as part of the normal ageing process. This can be scary for the person experiencing symptoms, as well as for family and friends. Some of the most common signs of cognitive impairment include: forgetting important dates or events; losing your train of thought; becoming increasingly overwhelmed by making decisions or planning tasks; having trouble finding your way around familiar places; and becoming more impulsive.
We all experience cognitive decline as we get older, but the degree and rate of decline is different for everyone, largely determined by genes and family history. So two people with the same level of age-related changes to their brains might perform very differently on cognitive tasks. And two people with Alzheimer’s disease can have a similar cognitive ability, but vastly different changes in the brain.
RESILIENCE AND RESERVE
Some people seem to be more resilient to the effects of ageing, possibly because they’ve developed a larger capacity – or ‘cognitive reserve’ – to cope with changes. Research shows that cognitive reserve is built up through experiences during our lifetimes, including educational attainments, having an engaging occupation or taking part in stimulating activities. Education and occupation may be determined in part by socioeconomic status. But participation in activities – leisure pursuits, learning, social interactions – is within our control.
Other health conditions – such as high blood pressure, diabetes, depression and vascular disease – can exacerbate cognitive decline. Some are avoidable or manageable through lifestyle changes. For example, eating a nutritious, balanced diet with lots of leafy and green vegetables; staying physically active; limiting alcohol intake and avoiding tobacco products.
Making positive changes in one area of life can produce benefits in another. Conversely, adopting unhealthy habits can cause a chain reaction or negative
