Age Related Cognitive Decline

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A decline in memory and cognitive (thinking) function is considered by many authorities to be a normal consequence of aging. While age-related cognitive decline (ARCD) is therefore not considered a disease, authorities differ on whether ARCD is in part related to Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, or whether it is a distinct entity. People with ARCD experience deterioration in memory and learning, attention and concentration, thinking, use of language, and other mental functions.

ARCD usually occurs gradually. Sudden cognitive decline is not a part of normal aging. When people develop an illness such as Alzheimer's disease, mental deterioration usually happens quickly. In contrast, cognitive performance in elderly adults normally remains stable over many years, with only slight declines in short-term memory and reaction times.

People sometimes believe they are having memory problems when there are no actual decreases in memory performance. Therefore, assessment of cognitive function requires specialized professional evaluation. Psychologists and psychiatrists employ sophisticated cognitive testing methods to detect and accurately measure the severity of cognitive decline. A qualified health professional should be consulted if memory impairment is suspected. Some older people have greater memory and cognitive difficulties than do those undergoing normal aging, but there symptoms are not so severe as to justify a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease; others do not. Authorities have suggested several terms for this middle category, including "mild cognitive impairment" and "mild neurocognitive disorder". Risk factors for ARCD include advancing age, female gender, prior heart attack, and heart failure.

Symptoms

People with ARCD experience:

- Deterioration in memory and learning

- Deterioration in attention and concentration

- Deterioration in thinking

- Deterioration in use of language

- Deterioration in other mental functions

Treatment

Diet

Recommended Foods

In the elderly population of southern Italy, which eats a typical Mediterranean diet, high intake of monounsaturated fatty acids (e.g. olive oil) has been associated with protection against ARCD in preliminary studies. Caffeine may improve cognitive performance. Diets high in antioxidant-rich foods, such as spinach and strawberries, may be beneficial in slowing ARCD. Higher vitamin C and beta-carotene levels in the blood have been associated with better memory performance. Eat foods rich in these nutrients, such as citrus fruits, red peppers, Brussels sprouts, dark green and orange-yellow vegetables.

Foods to Avoid

Avoid foods high in saturated fat, additives, and preservatives.

Other Recommendations

A large preliminary study in 1998 found associations between hypertension and deterioration in mental function. Controlling blood pressure may be helpful in preventing ARCD. Exercise has beneficial effects on physiological and cognitive functioning, and well-being in older people. Going for walks may be enough to modify the usual age-related decline in reaction time. Psychological counseling and training to improve memory have produced improvements in cognitive function in persons with ARCD.

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