New Research Shows Cognitive Decline Begins At 45

An anonymous reader writes "New research shows people might start to suffer from cognitive decline as early as age 45. The research, which looked at over 7000 people between the ages of 45 and 70 when the study started, watched participants over a 10 year period. Disturbingly enough, even the youngest participants started declining immediately."

Well crap

[mr1911]

I just turned 45 and don't feel any decline in my... wait, what were we talking about?

D&D says otherwise

[alphatel]

Did they properly consult the AD&D chart for character age [wizards.com]? I show INT and especially WIS increasing over time.

Re:So... How old was the researcher? I guess 45?

[jeffmeden]

And old was the youngest boss of him? I guess, 45?

Wha? Were you part of the study?

Re:What about wisdom?

[jeffmeden]

Should the Zombie apocalypse occur I would much rather be with him, than a bunch of 44 year olds with nothing but book smarts. Intelligence is important but it's often over emphasized.

Be honest, the reason you want him around is so you won't be the slowest one running away when the zombie stampede starts...

Re:So... How old was the researcher? I guess 45?

[q.kontinuum]

Don't know, can't remember anymore...

Re:Huh?

[Trepidity]

The lead author of the study is 51, so you can't really blame her for overlooking a few details...

Re:Well crap

[q.kontinuum]

Maybe this explains the misconception of masturbation leading to brain damage ;-)

Re:Well crap

[Defenestrar]

Have you seen the general population these days? I'd consider that the upper range. I think cognitive decline starts right around when you become a teenager, and for a lot of people it just gets worse as they get older...

See - this is the problem with text based communication. I think you're making a joke here, but instead of modding you funny I have to stop to make sure you weren't seriously suggesting that the peak of human intellectual achievement is best observed in our teenagers. You weren't were you? Were you?

Re:Not so fast

[postbigbang]

We were all born to die. That there is a decline is no mystery, not the age. Some people continue mental fitness, while others screw off on slashdot. Oh, wait...

Re:Well crap

[blue trane]

Lemme guess - you're over 45.

On the positive side...

[clickety6]

On the positive side all the people in the test were civil servants, so any cognitive decline wasn't noticeable and had no effect on their ability to perform their jobs!

Re:Not all that counts

[jpstanle]

In other words, youth and skill are no match for old age and treachery.

Dad? Is that you?

Re:Well crap

[Hoi Polloi]

So I don't have to switch off my turn signal anymore? Sweet!