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Three factors that decrease the danger of intellectual weakness
Two out of ten people over 65 have mild intellectual impairment, for example, an observable change in memory, critical thinking ability, or attention.
This weakness is caused, to some extent, by mental changes similar to those that occur in dementia.
Although mild intellectual weakness usually has little impact on an individual's lifestyle, between 5% and 10% of people with this mild impairment will develop dementia.
Why certain individuals with mild intellectual weakness promote dementia and others do not have been a secret for some time.
Intellectual weakness and its relation to dementia
A new study from Columbia University in New York recognized some factors that decide whether an individual is quite prone to fostering mild intellectual weakness.
These discoveries could provide us with some insight into who is intended to promote dementia.
The analysts examined 2,903 individuals aged 65 and over and followed their mental work for a long time.
To distinguish intellectual decline, they checked whether members who were not determined to have dementia were experiencing difficulties with a memory practice, or reported experiencing problems with specific daily tasks (such as using the telephone).
At the beginning of the review, all members had ordinary mental work. After six years, 1,805 members had typical intellectual ability, 752 had mild intellectual impairment, and 301 had dementia.
Scientists followed members with intellectual disabilities for three more years.
Since some limbs were "lost to follow-up," the specialists were only able to observe 480 individuals from the first group with mild intellectual impairment.
While 142 still had mild intellectual impairments, they noted that 62 individuals in this group currently had dementia.
The analysts also found that 276 individuals did not meet the mild cognitive impairment measures so far, showing that mild intellectual impairment does not usually cause dementia and is not really long-lasting.
Factors that decrease the danger of intellectual weakness
The variables related to a lower risk of creating mild intellectual weakness are the following:
1. Teaching
Education time is a component that reduces the risk of mild intellectual weakness.
Individuals who had read for a normal period of 11.5 years were 5% less likely to promote intellectual disability than people who had read for a long time.
One hypothesis for this connection is that a longer time in school is related to higher socioeconomic status, which could imply that an individual is moving closer to a better, healthier lifestyle and enjoying better medical care.
Another hypothesis is that schooling helps the mind gather more neurons and connections. This could help the brain compensate for changes that occur from a mild intellectual impairment, such as memory loss.
2. Exercise and recreation activities
Individuals who were more active and socially dynamic had a slightly lower risk of developing mild intellectual weakness.
To gauge the degree of activity among the members, they completed a survey on the type and frequency of the exercises they did, such as walking or going out to see movies. The analysts gave the members a maximum score of 13. The higher the score, the more dynamic the participant was.
Those without mild intellectual weakness had a normal score of 7.5, while those with mild intellectual impairment had a somewhat lower score of 7.4.
The score of the individuals with dementia was 5.8.
It is advisable to practice some physical activity during middle age and old age. One of the recommended sports in swimming. This type of work can lessen the danger of mild intellectual weakening.
The defensive impact of activity could be explained by the advantageous main changes that occur in our brain, due to active work. There is also developing evidence that taking an interest in friendly exercise can help maintain mental well-being and lessen the danger of unexpected death.
3. Economy
Individuals with an income greater than $36,000 a year were 20% less likely to promote intellectual disability, in contrast to those who earned less than $9,000 a year.
Higher- paid individuals are more likely to have a better lifestyle, with necessary medical care, a strict diet, a better eating routine, and a carefree lifestyle.
Likewise, they can reside in a place where natural variables, such as pollution, have less impact on them.
This point seems unnecessary, but it is of great importance, since it is being shown that contamination can be related to diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
The danger of developing cognitive decline
Specialists from Columbia University also recognized some elements related to a greater risk of developing mild cognitive impairment.
1. Hereditary qualities
The presence of the AP0E E4 allele (one of at least two adaptations of a gene) was found to increase the danger of creating mild intellectual weakness by 18%.
This finding is reliable with the previous test, which also shows that this allele could construct the danger of dementia.
Individuals with AP0E E4 are three times more likely to promote Alzheimer's disease than those with an alternate variation of AP0E quality.
The explanation, the researchers assume, is that this variation forces individuals to lump harmful proteins into the mind, and this is a sign of Alzheimer's infection.
Scientists further accept that this quality only points to damage in old age.
2. Basic medical conditions
Individuals with at least one chronic health problem, such as heart disease, diabetes or depression, have a 9% greater risk of creating mild intellectual weakness, according to analysts at Columbia University.
The greater weight of the different ailments could lead a person to be less committed to their daily exercises, or to daily activity. Both of these behavioral disturbances can accelerate the disintegration of mental well-being.
In short, our brains are dynamic and keeping them active throughout our lives is significant to maintain a great mental work.
While there are some danger factors, for example our qualities, which we cannot change, remain dynamic and enjoy a healthy lifestyle, it could be a method to decrease our danger of cognitive decline and dementia.
