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Last Updated: Apr 16, 2008 - 5:52:06 PM |
THURSDAY FEB 21, 2008 (foodconsumer.org) -- Old Americans today are less likely to have cognitive impairment such as memory loss than their counterparts a decade ago due researchers believe to higher education, better financial status and better healthcare, according to a study published today online in the journal Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
The study of 11,000 people aged 70 to older showed the prevalence of cognitive impairment in this age group dropped by 3.5 percent to 8.7 percent in 2002 from 12.2 percent in 1993. Cognitive impairment refers to a range of conditions including memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
The reason for the decline is ill-understood, but the researchers from University of Michigan Medical School said today's old people are more likely to have had more formal education, better financial situation, and better health care to deal with risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking.
Kenneth Langa, lead author of the study, said the findings support the recent theories about how brain functions can be protected and preserved. Metal stimulation, particularly education in early days can build up a person's cognitive reserve including memory. Cardiovascular health also has a close link with brain health.
Dr. Langa's study showed at least 40 percent of the decrease in cognitive impairment over the decade was likely due to the increase in education levels and personal wealth. In 1990, 53 percent of people over age 65 had a high school diploma compared to 72 percent in 2003. The percentage of people who earned a college degree increased from 11 percent to 17 percent.
During the same period, use of cholesterol-lower drugs, blood pressure medications and other preventive cardiovascular medications increased in the 1990s, which may increasingly help protect seniors' brain function by reducing incidence of vascular dementia.
"From these results, we can say that brain health among older Americans seems to have improved in the decade studied, and that education and wealth may be a big piece of the puzzle," said Langa.
Memory loss does not have to result from cognitive impairment or other brain conditions. It can be caused by medications, alcohol and illicit drug use, stress, depression, head injury, infections, thyroid dysfunction, nutritional deficiencies, normal aging, and dementia.
Lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, avoiding smoking or drinking alcohol, eating healthy food, maintaining social interaction and keeping brain active are what can be done to prevent memory loss.
For more information on memory loss, read
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