Brain function can start to deteriorate at 45

Researchers from the University College London have found that brain function can start to deteriorate from as early as age 45.

The 10 year research involved memory, vocabulary and comprehension tests on over 7,000 UK civil servants between the age of 45 and 70. Education differences were accounted for in the study results.

For people between the age of 45 and 49, the researchers found a 3.6% decline in mental reasoning, regardless of gender. It also revealed that the decline grew quicker with age to 9.6% in men between 65 and 70, whilst for women in this age group, it was 7.4%.

The researchers are now calling for more research into people who experience above average cognitive decline to find out how it can be prevented.

Alzheimer’s charities backed the call for further research in wider population samples to try to discover how they can help to improve early diagnosis of the condition.

Dr Simon Ridley from Alzheimer’s Research UK, indicated that previous research had suggested that health in mid-life can have an impact on an individuals risk of dementia. He said: “Although we don’t yet have a sure-fire way to prevent dementia, we do know that simple lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, not smoking, and keeping blood pressure and cholesterol in check can all reduce the risk of dementia.”