Elderly who are single suffer cognitively

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers suggest seniors who survive a spouse or never marry seem to suffer more cognitive decline.

However, socioeconomic status did not seem to be linked to brain's continued ability to function.

Lead investigator Dr. Arun Karlamangla of the University of California, Los Angeles Geffen School of Medicine, said the study is based on data from 6,476 adults born prior to 1924, who were tested five times between 1993-2002 on various memory and cognition items.

The study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, found rates of cognitive decline over a 9-year period were similar across socioeconomic and racial and ethnic groups.

"It has been known that cognitive performance at any given age appears to depend on demographic characteristics; the more educated, for instance, perform better," Karlamangla said in a statement.

"But though there are differences in the level of performance you start with in your late 60s, this study's surprise is that the rate of decline in your 70s is the same for every group."