What can I do to maintain a healthy mind?
Stay active mentally and physically and eat healthy food. When you remain mentally active you develop what is known as "cognitive reserve". This is not fuzzy science - cognitive reserve can be seen as physical connections in the brain between nerve cells. The more mentally active, the stronger the connections. Anyone can improve their cognitive reserve. Just stay mentally active. In my clinical practice I recommend that people read, complete crossword puzzles, engage in social activities, etc. and they should continue to do these regularly.
It is also important to stay physically active. Physical activity will help maintain a healthy vascular system. In addition, physical exercise will help to manage weight and that is critical to optimal brain health (see article in the Cog-Blog archive).
Do memory and thinking skills just fall apart as we get older?
No!
Thinking skills such as attention, memory, language, motor speed, processing speed, are not a single ability, but rather many different abilities that work together to perform specific behaviors (e.g., remembering the name of a new acquaintance at a party requires attention, short-term memory and long-term memory).
These individual skills develop from childhood into adulthood. Attention is less well developed in young kids (unless they are sitting in front of the television) while other skills are pretty good even among young individuals (e.g., motor speed and memory). As we get older, some thinking skills decline for many individuals. Our research shows this occurs commonly around age 40 and is most evident on tests that require thinking speed and psychomotor speed (Clark et al., 2006; Paul et al., 2005).
However, many skills improve with age. Knowledge, core intelligence and greater understanding of complex social, political and individual relationships become much stronger as we get older. It is no coincidence that our world leaders are mature adults (political differences aside) rather than 21 year olds, and it is no coincidence that our elders are universally and globally recognized as wise and astute! For this reason when I need advice I go to the most senior person I can find.
So the answer is "No", thinking skills do not fall apart as we age. For most individuals core intelligence increases and will continue to do so with reading, travel, and other engaging activities. However, some cognitive skills are less strong as we get older, and for some individuals this decline is more significant than for others.
What should I do if someone I know is experiencing an obvious change in memory or behavior?
It is very important to see a professional as soon as possible. Some people talk to their primary care physician first while others go directly to a neurologist. Eventually a referral to a neurologist is a good idea. Use the internet as a source of information cautiously. The internet is a good source of information, but there is also a lot of incorrect information on the internet, so be sure to rely on your physician to direct your health care.
How can a clinical neuropsychologist help?
A neuropsychologist works closely with physicians when there is a question regarding memory or other thinking skills. Unlike a neurologist, neuropsychologists are not physicians. The two professionals work as a team to provide complimentary care. The neuropsychologist will be able to provide information to the referring physician regarding:
- What is the current status of a person’s cognitive skills;
- If difficulties in thinking are evident, how significant are the problems;
- What are the likely causes of the cognitive difficulties;
References
Clark, C.R., Paul, R.H., Williams, L.M., Arns, M. A., Fallapour, K., Handmer, C., Gordon, E. (2006). Standardized assessment of cognitive functioning during development and aging using an automated touchscreen battery. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 21(5), 449-467.
Paul, R., Lawrence, J., Williams L. M., Clark, R., Cooper, N., Gordon, E. (2005). Preliminary validity of ‘IntegNeuroTM’: A new computerized battery of neurocognitive tests. International Journal of Neuroscience, 115(11):1549-1567.
Paul, R.H., Clark, C.R., Lawrence, J., Goldberg, E., Williams, L.M., Cooper, N., Cohen, R.A., Brickman, A.M., Gordon, E. (2005). Age-dependent change in executive function and gamma 40 Hz phase synchrony. Journal of Integrative Neuroscience, 4(1), 63-76
Paul, R.H., Haque, O., Gunstad, J., Tate, D.F., Grieve, S.M., Hoth, K., Brickman, A.M., Cohen, R., Lange, K., Jefferson, A.L., MacGregor, K.L., Gordon, E. (2005). Subcortical hyperintensities impact cognitive function among a select subset of healthy elderly. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 20(6), 697-704.