Men are more susceptible to memory loss and some forms of cognitive impairment, according to a recent Mayo Clinic study. Their work indicates that by the time they reach 70 or 80 the percentage of men developing some form of memory loss is higher that that their female counterparts. The good news is – it can be reversible.
Researchers still aren’t exactly certain as to why this reversal can take place, but according to similar studies there has been evidence the brain has been able to repair itself and overcome some damage.
An editorial in the journal of Neurology, written by Kenneth Rockwood, M.D., professor of geriatric medicine at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia supports these studies – that the brain is actually able to repair itself.
Part of the reason for the reversal, according to Rockwood, is that when these men did exercise, both mental and physical, it has shown to improve brain function in later checkups. This includes problem solving puzzles and brain games.
Researchers examined a group of 1,450 men and women in Minnesota in their study ranging in age from 70 to 89. None had any sign of dementia or cognitive problems. Every 15 months they were evaluated over the course of three and a half years.
At the conclusion of the study, about 7.2 % of the men and 5.7 % of the women developed mild cognitive impairment, which is often believe to be a precursor to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Statistically, dementia is found to be in men more often than women, on an average of 72 cases per thousand in men as opposed to 57 cases for women. Married and higher educated people had lower rates of cognitive problems than those with less than a high school diploma.
According to lead researchers in the Mayo Clinic study, R. O. Roberts, “people can reduce their risk of memory loss and cognitive impairment by staying healthy and educated. There is a lot that people can do.â€
 
About the author:
Ron White is a two-time USA Memory Champion and memory training expert. As a memory speaker he travels the world to speak before large groups or small company seminars, demonstrating his memory skills and teaching others how to improve their memory, and how important a good memory is in all phases of your life.
Source:
AARP – Memory Loss More Common In Men — But It Can Improve: http://blog.aarp.org/2012/01/26/memory-loss-more-common-in-men-but-it-can-improve/