You may forget someone’s name as you age, but when this sign appears, it’s critical to receive a timely diagnosis and the right treatment.

A recent study challenges the widely held belief that memory failures are the first indicator of an aging brain. Alan Gow, a professor at Heriot-Watt University and researcher at Age UK, suggests that the earliest indicator of cognitive decline is not memory problems but a slowdown in thought processes.

Normal aging affects three domains of cognitive function over time: information processing speed, short-term memory, and reasoning ability. General knowledge and vocabulary, on the other hand, tend to be preserved.

The research, which was published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, revealed that reaction times in basic decision-making tasks begin to reduce as early as age 20.

However, it is due to functional changes, such as increased attention intensity, rather than cognitive debility. Thought processing speed remains at its peak until around the age of 60.

Genetic and environmental variables can have a significant influence on cognitive decline. Genetics is responsible for around 24% of the changes in cognitive processes that occur during our lifetimes.

However, the association between cognitive decline and lifestyle variables including physical exercise, food, and mental stimulation is still being researched.

Early detection requires the development of novel diagnostic methods and technologies, such as blood-based procedures and biomarkers.

Early detection of cognitive decline might change treatment procedures, enhancing the quality of life for millions of people throughout the globe.

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