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Study: Cognitive functions may decline as early as 45

01/09/12

A new study conducted by the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research suggests mental health may begin to decline in adults as young as 45.

According to the report, which was published in the January 5 issue of the British Medical Journal, the research findings contradict the conventional wisdom that mental decline doesn't begin until after the age of 60.

"Cognitive function in normal, healthy adults begins to decline earlier than previously thought," said study author Archana Singh-Manoux. "It is widely believed that cognitive ability does not decline before the age of 60. We were able to show robust cognitive decline even in individuals aged 45 to 49 years."

Singh-Manoux added that understanding cognitive aging might allow early identification of patients showing signs of dementia.

The study, which began in 1985, examined data from 5,200 men and 2,200 women who were British civil servants between the ages of 45-70.

The reasoning skills began of men aged 45-49 to decline by nearly 4 percent, and those aged 65-70 experienced declines of 10 percent. Among the women aged 45-49, decline in reasoning was at 5 percent, while the 65-70 age group declined 7 percent.

With signs of dementia being reported at earlier ages and 14 percent of Americans ultimately being diagnosed with the condition, according to Medscape, U.S. citizens may look to secure life insurance sooner to ensure a financially stable future.

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