According to a study published in the journal Nature Human Behavior on February 17, the Brain capacity begins to decline at age 60. The researchers used data from 1.2 million individuals aged between 10 and 80 years. Therefore, check now the main findings of this survey.
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Up to the age of 60, mental functioning is more accelerated
The study was organized by Heildelberg University, Germany, and differences between the participants' cognitive pattern were analyzed. In this sense, response patterns in simple decision-making tasks were observed, as well as the time for each of these responses.
How did scientists test mental capacity?
Participants had to answer questions about race and gender issues. Thus, it was necessary to classify some words as positive or negative. Finally, the analysis was constructed based on the following parameters: the individuals' age, response time and accuracy.
However, the authors point out that the response time is not a pure measure of mental speed, but rather the sum of several processes. Thus, the results showed that from the age of 20 there is greater caution in decision making and, as a consequence, longer time to reach an answer.
According to the observations of the researchers, around the age of 30 we reach the best level of mental processing, while from 60 onwards we get slower and start to commit more “mistakes”.
What happens when we get old? Why are we slower?
As we age, some hormones such as acetylcholine, which is responsible for helping communication in the nervous system, dopamine, serotonin, among other important substances for the functioning of our cognitive system, begin to circulate in smaller quantities in the our body.
In addition to these hormonal factors, as the years go by, we also lose an amount considerable number of nerve cells, which are dying and, consequently, we are smaller in size and brain volume.
Is it possible to delay aging?
Eventually we will all get old and there is no getting away from it. However, it is possible to prevent premature aging with some measures, including: maintaining a healthy diet, rich in fruits and vegetables; practice physical exercises; avoid unnecessary worries and stress.
