Problems After the Age of Forty

While some say that the age of forty is the beginning of a new life, on the contrary scientists say that it also marks the beginning of the decline of our brain. According to an English study, our memory and mental capacity decline steadily after the age of forty.

Researchers from the British Psychological Society in London confirm that our response capability, our ability to concentrate and memory begin to decline significantly from the age of 40 to 45 years. Beyond this point, each year confirms the steady decline that continues until the age of 80.

Are forty years the end of the ripe old age?

A team of psychologists conducted a series of tests on at least 2 282 healthy volunteers aged 18 to 87 years old. The tests consisted of the cognitive ability to evaluate the memory, like remembering names and faces, the time of reaction to given situations and the ability to concentrate and making decisions.

Until the age of forty the mental faculties appear unchanged but beyond that age the reaction time is 10 to 15% greater than that of twenty years. The ability to concentrate is reduced and the ability to ignore a distracting noise or remember a name is reduced at the same time. In short, trying to remember past memories becomes increasingly difficult.

Can you remember your name?

At an evening with friends at a cocktail party, you see the eyes of someone who probably knows you. But despite all your efforts, you cannot remember his name...Who has not faced this kind of embarrassment?

While the brain mechanism responsible for this decline is not yet identified, the most plausible theory is the loss of ability of nerve cells to communicate with each other through neurotransmitters.

The brain gets used when not in use

When communicating the study results, Dr Semple said that people over forty years of age compensate for the cognitive decline through having greater experience. A way for older people to remember past memories is to create a few shortcuts.

The decline in intellectual performance reveals that the brain simply is not functioning well! Monotonous activities and routine work always engage the same part of the brain. This results that other parts of the brain become dormant. Reading, making crosswords and having an active social life help to maintain our brain to stay in good shape.

Sources:

http://www.healthcentral.com/drdean/408/46078.html