Age-Related Cognitive Decline Begins as Early as Age 45

For those over age 40 who can’t find their keys, it may come as no surprise that British researchers have found that age-relate cognitive decline begins as early as age 45. 

In a study published in the British Medical Journal, researchers tested memory, reasoning, vocabulary, and semantic fluency at different period over 10 years in more than 7,000 British civil servants in five age categories (45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64 and 65-70). All cognitive scores, except vocabulary, declined in all five age categories, with evidence of faster decline in older people. 

To read about brain imaging of early cognitive decline related to Alzheimer’s disease see Psychiatric News.

(Image: calmacanul/shutterstock.com)