Slower reaction times and poorer memory associated with greater risk of dying in young and old people

Medical Study News

Published: Monday, 23-Jan-2006

Slower reaction times and poorer memory are associated with a greater risk of dying in young and old people, a new study shows.

The finding in younger subjects is especially surprising, given that prior research linking higher mortality with poorer cognitive function in the elderly was attributed to degeneration of the brain due to aging.

"These results suggest that reaction time is not merely an indicator of age-related physiological deteriorations but rather an indicator of the brain's more basic information processing ability, suggesting that slower and more variable processing skills are a risk factor for mortality in themselves," said authors led by Beverly A. Shipley, Ph.D., of the University of Edinburgh in Scotland

In the study, published in the latest issue of the journal Psychosomatic Medicine, researchers followed 6,424 subjects age 18 to 94 from the 1984-1985 UK Health and Lifestyle Survey to assess their scores on cognitive tests and risk of death over 19 years.

Between July 1985 and May 2003, 1,366 of the participants had died. Of these, 52 were age 20 to 29 years, 351 were ages 40 to 59 years, and 963 were age 60 and older. Lower scores on simple reaction time (pressing a key after seeing a prompt), choice reaction time (pressing one of four keys after seeing a prompt), variability of reaction time and, to a lesser degree, memory performance were strongly associated with higher mortality rates in the youngest and the oldest group, but not the middle group.

The researchers factored in other lifestyle factors associated for risk of death such as smoking, heavy alcohol use and being overweight before making a final determination a the association between cognitive results and mortality risk.

The reasons for the association are unclear, but according to the authors, "The cognition-mortality relationship may be explained in part by the brain's efficiency of information processing and memory performance."

Other reasons for the results, the researchers say, may be that reaction time is linked with overall body deterioration, and in the youngest group, may be linked to brain functions associated with survival. For example, "higher cognitive ability may be linked to behaviors that are conducive to good health such as healthy eating, a low alcohol intake and avoidance of smoking," according to the authors.

Peter Muennig, M.D., of Columbia University, said the study is "of critical importance in public health. If cognition is a major factor in determining human life expectancy, then education interventions have the potential for great public health impact." He said, "So far, there is good evidence that years of schooling prolongs life expectancy. This will make a strong contribution to this argument."

More information

Alzheimer's

Is there any treatment?

There is no cure for AD and no way to slow the progression of the disease. For some people in the early or middle stages of AD, medication such as tacrine (Cognex) may alleviate some cognitive symptoms. Donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Reminyl) may keep some symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time. A fifth drug, memantine (Namenda), was recently approved for use in the United States. Combining memantine with other AD drugs may be more effective than any single therapy. One controlled clinical trial found that patients receiving donepezil plus memantine had better cognition and other functions than patients receiving donepezil alone. Also, other medications may help control behavioral symptoms such as sleeplessness, agitation, wandering, anxiety, and depression. Prevention, through lifestyle changes and mental and physcial exercise, represents one of the best ways to reduce the likelihood of getting the disease, coupled with regular, systematic monitoring.

What is the prognosis?

AD is a progressive disease, but its course can vary from 5 to 20 years. The most common cause of death in AD patients is infection. As the population ages and other diseases are brought under control - Alzheimer's becomes a major risk.

What research is being done?

Scientists are currently studying or testing different types of drugs and other substances to determine if they can stop AD progression, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), statins (such as those used for lowering cholesterol), folic acid, gingko biloba, huperzine, and vitamins E, B6, and B12. Studies in basic science are also exploring the potential of vaccines. Regular 'screenings' are being advocated by some - with the U.S. House of Representatives recently passing a bill in support of early memory check-ups. All advocate a regimen of physical exercise and mental exercise. If you start an exercise regimen or just walking use MemCheck to track your progress.

Read testimonials from scientists and physicians on MemCheck.

Give Memory For Life as a Gift for a loved one. Actions taken today help tomorrow.

Give the Gift of TV - Cognitive Labs and Microsoft are partnering on a special offer.

Source: NIH and Cognitive Advisors. For a qualified medical opinion or diagnosis, please see your healthcare provider.

Famous People and Alzheimers: former President Ronald Reagan, Grambling University football coach Eddie Robinson, actor Charlton Heston, actor James Doohan.