Dr. Brubaker

About the Author – This “Health Update” was written by J. Kenneth Brubaker, M.D., C.M.D., Masonic Villages’ corporate medical director

Rising Rates of Memory Loss and Causes of Cognitive Decline

By 2050, the number of people experiencing memory loss will nearly triple. This is because people are living longer and the baby boomer generation aging. At the turn of the 20th century, the average life expectancy was 47 years of age in the United States; therefore, cognitive impairment was not commonly observed. By the beginning of the 21st century, the average life expectancy rose to the high 70s. Cognitive impairment is more commonly found among those over 60 years of age, with a dramatic increase after age 80.

During the past decade, researchers have identified several factors that contribute to memory loss. These include diabetes, mid-life hypertension, cerebral vascular disease, elevated cholesterol, depression, and a past history of head trauma. Know, however, that successfully treating these risk factors can reduce the prevalence of late-in-life cognitive impairment.

What is Executive Function?
An article from the Journal of American Geriatric Society examined the relationship of executive function and exercise and how researchers found a positive association between the two.

Executive function controls processes such as inhibitions, planning and taking initiatives. When a person develops early cognitive impairment, family members and friends may observe changes in that person’s interest in their usual responsibilities. Someone who has been very engaged in work, volunteering or sports may become seemingly very content staying at home with no intention of keeping previously planned commitments.

Often, family members will wonder if their loved one is depressed. Depression is a serious medical condition that affects thoughts, feelings and the ability to function in everyday life. Though depression is associated with cognitive decline, people with loss of executive function are not depressed. Instead, they are experiencing apathy, a common early symptom of impaired cognition. Someone with apathy lacks initiative to carry out daily tasks.

Exercise For Better Brain Health

Since the brain’s frontal regions are most closely associated with executive function, research on preserving the frontal areas of the brain to maintain good executive function with aging has received more attention. For example, exercise has been shown to reduce brain atrophy in the frontal areas of the brain. Older adults with greater aerobic fitness have a higher density of frontal brain tissue than older adults who do little or no exercise. They also demonstrate better executive function.

Despite ongoing research on cognition and exercise, enough published information exists that demonstrates a physically active person has a lower risk of cognitive decline than someone sedentary, especially as one ages. Even short durations of exercise training can improve cognitive performance. Studies also indicate mid-life activity is associated with a lower incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Other Ways to Prevent Memory Loss

The question about preventing memory loss has no simple answer. In addition to exercising regularly, pay attention to other contributing risk factors for cognitive impairment: high blood pressure, poor diet, elevated cholesterol and untreated depressions and other mental illnesses. Absences of weight control, mentally stimulating activities and healthy social relationships also put you at risk.

For more information about starting the right exercise regimen for you, contact the Baird Wellness Center staff in Elizabethtown, the Barley Wellness Center staff in Sewickley or wellness center staff in Lafayette Hill