GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- A Swedish researcher says today's 70-year-olds score better on intelligence tests than their predecessors, but dementia remains as common as 30 years ago.
Dr. Simona Sacuiu of the Sahlgrenska University Hospital, University of Gothenburg, said tests of mental ability worked well in detecting dementia for the group of 70-year-olds born in 1901-02. However, 70-year-olds born in 1930 performed better as a group in the intelligence tests and there were no differences in test results between 70-year-olds who developed dementia and those who did not.
The study, published in the journal Neurology, found only memory problems still predicted those at risk of developing dementia. However, far from all of the 70-year-olds with a poor memory went on to develop the illness.
"That's why it's important for people with memory problems to receive a thorough examination," Sacuiu said in a statement. "Learning more about the early signs of dementia means that patients may get help and support more quickly."
Sacuiu and colleagues analyzed data from the H70 study -- 800 dementia-free 70-year-olds in Gothenburg given tests of mental abilities including memory, language and spatial awareness.
The study finds 5 percent went on to develop dementia during the next five years.
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