According to a study in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, an abrupt decline in the prevalence of cognitive impairment occurs among Americans aged 65 and older more so than those born a decade earlier.
“Numerous studies suggest the prevalence of dementia has decreased over the past several decades in Western countries. Less is known about whether these trends differ by gender or age cohort, and if generational differences in educational attainment explain these trajectories,” a news release of the study reads.
The study involved 5.4 million older Americans and the participants were asked on any difficulties with concentration, memory, and decision-making processes.
What researchers found: “Between 2008 and 2017, the prevalence of serious cognitive impairment among older Americans declined significantly, although these declines were partially attributable to generational differences in educational attainment.”
“Our finding from this study of over 5 million older Americans is definitely a very welcome, ‘good news story’ indicating a steep decline in the prevalence of cognitive impairment among older Americans,” said one co-author of the study in the news release.
“We still need to investigate whether these positive trends will continue in the decades ahead and why men’s rates of improvements are lagging behind those of women.”
