Do you believe you become more forgetful as you age? It turns out that just the thought of impending forgetfulness can be enough to trigger a decline in cognitive performance.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania say certain thoughts—especially negative expectations about getting older—can accelerate cognitive aging.
The team found that older adults who accept aging calmly tend to have better cognitive function and worry less about decline.
How Was the Study Conducted?
The researchers enrolled 581 adults aged 65 to 90 in the U.S. who had no diagnosed cognitive impairments. Participants completed a 12-question survey that asked about their views on physical health, mental health, and cognitive abilities as they age.
They also assessed the participants’ recent thinking and memory using an eight-question scale, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Next, the team compared the participants’ current cognitive abilities with what they believed their cognitive abilities were ten years earlier.
The survey showed that participants with more positive views of their physical health, mental health, and cognitive functioning as they age performed better on cognitive tests.
“Expectations influence how individuals perceive their cognitive functions,” said Nikki Gill, the lead author of the study. She added that shifting expectations about aging in a positive direction—especially regarding how aging affects the brain—can contribute to “healthier cognitive aging.”
The researchers say educational programs that challenge negative stereotypes about aging could help change attitudes toward growing older. Such programs could highlight examples of healthy aging and explain the difference between normal age-related changes and concerning cognitive decline.
The findings of the study were published in the journal Aging & Mental Health.
More than 55 million people worldwide are living with dementia, and experts predict that number will climb to 139 million by 2050.
