The Aging Intellect

Cognitive aging and how to manage it.

by Douglas Hyde Powell, Ed.D., ABPP

Non-Progressive Mild Cognitive Impairment: Case Examples 2

This the second installment of case reports of individuals with non-progressive mild cognitive impairment (MCI). It follows the March 27th blog that described the cases of Art and Edwina. These individuals contacted me after reading an earlier report about non-progressive MCI. Read More

Non-Progressive Mild Cognitive Impairment: Case Examples 1

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a transitional state of cognitive decline that is below the average age-related fall off in mental skills but above the threshold for dementia. It is also called "early" or "minimal dementia," sometimes "mild Alzheimer's disease." Read More

Vigorous Leisure Activity and Optimal Cognitive Aging

Not long ago I was on a panel talking to an audience of accomplished people about the lifestyle habits of those who are aging optimally. One of the expert panelists discussed the importance of regular exercise to continued physical and cognitive vigor. Read More

Taking Medication as Prescribed Benefits the Mind Too

Of all of those lifestyle habits that have been demonstrated to benefit the mind and body, it seems that the easiest one to practice should be taking medication as prescribed. Compared to the struggle to overcome an addiction to smoking, or enduring the sweaty workouts and the deprivation of a weight loss diet to reduce obesity, taking a few pills everyday shouldn't be a hardship. Read More

Words of Encouragement for Tennessee Women’s Basketball Coach Pat Summitt

Last week the great Tennessee women's basketball coach, Pat Summitt, reported that she has early onset dementia of the Alzheimer's type. This diagnosis was made by Mayo Clinic experts whom Summitt consulted because of increasing problems with attention and memory. Read More

What Are the Differences Between Normal and Optimal Cognitive Aging?

Estimates are that over half of older adults in the United States and other economically developed countries are aging normally and approximately 25% are classified as optimal agers. Most of us can list a half dozen life style habits associated with optimal, successful, or healthy aging—getting regular exercise, eating healthily, etc. Read More

Not Everyone With Mild Cognitive Impairment Progresses To Dementia

A great deal of research has been published about the psychosocial characteristics of those more likely to progress to dementia. By contrast no systematic study has been reported about those behaviors and lifestyle habits that distinguish MCI patients who do not progress to dementia., who remain stable or who revert to normal cognitive aging. Read More

Improve Concentration by Minimizing Distractibility

In our research with optimally aging older adults we were struck by how often they mentioned difficulty with concentration. Three out of four reported problems with focusing or maintaining attention. Read More

Optimal Cognitive Aging: Who Remains Mentally Sharp?

About 25% of people over 60 meet the standards for optimal cognitive aging. This estimate comes from research carried out in the US and Europe. Who are these optimal agers and what lifestyle habits distinguish them from the majority of elders who are growing older normally or are at risk for cognitive impairment? Read More

Douglas Hyde Powell, Ed.D., A.B.P.P., is a Clinical Instructor in Psychology at Harvard Medical School, and a Consultant in Psychology at McLean Hospital.

more...

About The Aging Intellect

Richly illustrated with clinical examples and case studies, The Aging Intellect • Specifies lifestyle habits and attitudes linked to three levels of cognitive aging: optimal, normal, and at risk for cognitive impairment • Describes evidence based strategies that minimize mental decline • Warns of normal cognitive changes that increase the chances of elders making poor financial decisions • Identifies intellectual qualities that strengthen with age