Study reveals memory loss not an inevitable part of ageing

LOSING your memory is not a normal part of growing older, new research has revealed, shattering the stereotype of older people as slower and more forgetful.

LOSING your memory is not a normal and inevitable part of ageing, new research has ­revealed, shattering the stereotype of forgetful older people.

On the flip side, researchers say those aged over 60 who are having memory problems should get a check-up, as this is a warning sign of many types of disease.

With poor health in midlife now a known risk factor for a third of dementia cases, ­researchers say it’s vital that people get on top of their physical and mental health in their 40s and 50s to protect their intellect and memory in old age.

THIRTEEN WAYS TO BOOST MEMORY

VITAMIN D LEVELS LINKED TO BETTER BRAIN HEALTH

NEW HOPE FOR ALZHEIMER’S SUFFERERS

The international study, led by Melbourne’s Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, followed ­almost 500 adults aged 60-85 for six years, repeating memory and cognitive tests every 18 months.

Melbourne’s Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, followed ­almost 500 adults aged 60-85 for six years, repeating memory and cognitive tests every 18 months.

Brain scans identified the 30 per cent of participants who had started accumulating ­amyloid plaques in the brain associated with early Alzheimer’s disease, but who were yet to show symptoms.

Professor Paul Maruff said while problem-solving speed generally declined with age, when the asymptomatic Alzheimer’s cohort was excluded, verbal and working memory remained stable.

“Our attitudes and expectations of the abilities and intellect of older people need to change,” Prof Maruff said.

“We would advocate there is no such thing an age-related memory decline. We should expect clarity of thought and quality of memory at least through to age 85.”

The findings were published in the journal Neurobiology of Ageing.

Lead author Karra Harrington, a psychologist and PhD candidate, said the study showed that any memory decline warranted investigation.

Professor Paul Maruff said while problem-solving speed generally declined with age, verbal and working memory remained stable.

“If you’re worried about your memory, or you’re getting a bit more forgetful, that’s a sign you should go and have a check-up,” she said.

“There are lots of things other than Alzheimer’s disease, such as depression and anxiety, that can cause memory loss.”

Prof Maruff said because dementia was not a given in old age, with just 20 per cent affected by age 80, it was important middle-aged adults reduced their risk by controlling their blood pressure and blood sugar, maintaining a healthy weight, staying active and stopping smoking.

“There is 80 per cent of the population who should have clear cognition and intellect in old age, provided they look after their health in midlife,” he said.

[e-mail]