It seems like a series of cross-sectional studies, following an age group every few years, giving the same cognitive test but to different participants each time could avoid the learning effects but measure people who had similar circumstances growing up. My parents are approaching the ages their parents were when I was growing up and they seem so much younger both physically and mentally.
yes I remember my grandparents in their 70s as my folks are now and I have the same impression! Although I guess a confounder there is that I am also much older and the age gap is therefore less
When I was 19 I was in a motorcycle accident (wrecked my Honda 80cc scooter!) and suffered a bruise on my brain. In the months following had major gaps in memory and would often transpose words in conversations.
Now, at 43, I still transpose words occasionally, but I think that's normal. I do joke with my kids that any time I am wrong it is due to my brain damage and they can't even imagine how smart I would have been if not for that accident!
Really, however, this accident mixed with a family history of dementia makes me wonder if every time I can't remember someone's name or have difficulty following IKEA directions if this is the cliff edge of decline.
It seems like a series of cross-sectional studies, following an age group every few years, giving the same cognitive test but to different participants each time could avoid the learning effects but measure people who had similar circumstances growing up. My parents are approaching the ages their parents were when I was growing up and they seem so much younger both physically and mentally.
yes I remember my grandparents in their 70s as my folks are now and I have the same impression! Although I guess a confounder there is that I am also much older and the age gap is therefore less
When I was 19 I was in a motorcycle accident (wrecked my Honda 80cc scooter!) and suffered a bruise on my brain. In the months following had major gaps in memory and would often transpose words in conversations.
Now, at 43, I still transpose words occasionally, but I think that's normal. I do joke with my kids that any time I am wrong it is due to my brain damage and they can't even imagine how smart I would have been if not for that accident!
Really, however, this accident mixed with a family history of dementia makes me wonder if every time I can't remember someone's name or have difficulty following IKEA directions if this is the cliff edge of decline.