Cognitive research by Roger Ratcliff Professor of Psychology of Ohio State University confirms that in some cognitive situations 25 and 70 year olds match responses. And where the older person’s response time seems slower, then it appears that this can mask the fact that the older person merely wants take a little longer in order to be accurate.
Even better news is that a healthy older person can be trained to give as fast a response as a younger person without compromising on accuracy. Professor Ratcliff has found that older people’s brains do not automatically slow down as was once thought.
For those wanting to check this out, more can be found in the current edition of ‘Neurology’.
One key point emerging is that vital importance of diet in general and vitamins and fatty acids found in fish oils in particular. These seem key to helping to combat brain shrinkage.
The research does show that for those of us who view an older retirement age with some trepidation, we are entitled to be more sanguine about continuing to make speedy decisions drawn on our experience and knowledge.
Gerry Neale.
http://squaringcirclesbygerryneale.blogspot.comwww.squaringcircles.co.uk
