Aging does NOT necessarily mean “losing it”

Many people believe that “losing it” is a necessary part of the aging process and that all that is uncertain is the timing — is it in the 60’s, 70’s, or 80’s.

A recent study has revealed that mental deterioration is not necessarily a part of the aging process.  The following excerpts are from 115-year-old Woman’s Brain in Tip-Top Shape, Yahoo! News, June 9, 2008:

A Dutch woman who reached 115 years of age and remained mentally sharp throughout life also had a healthy brain when she died, a new study finds.

The woman’s brain showed almost no evidence of Alzheimer’s disease. The finding suggests Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are not inevitable, as had been suspected.

“Our observations suggest that, in contrast to general belief, the limits of human cognitive function may extend far beyond the range that is currently enjoyed by most individuals,” said lead researcher Gert Holstege, a neuroscientist at the University Medical Center Groningen, in The Netherlands.

Special thanks to David S. Luber (Attorney at law, Florida Probate Attorney Wills and Estates Law Firm) for bringing this article to my attention.