Baby Boomers Are Experiencing Cognitive Decline Earlier Than Past Generations, Study Finds

Over the course of generations, adults showed an increase in overall cognition scores. However, a recent study, published in the Journals of Gerontology: Social Sciences says that trend reversed with the baby boomers.

The researchers studied data from 30,191 adults, all of whom were over 51 years old. The participants were given cognitive and memory assessment every two years from 1996 to 2014. 

Compared to other generations, baby boomers started experiencing cognitive decline earlier in life—at around 50 to 54 years old. 

When assessing possible reasons, Zheng ruled out childhood factors. Compared to older generations, baby boomers had equal or better health care and education, and generally came from families of a higher socioeconomic status. 

Instead, the low scores were associated with less wealth; higher levels of loneliness, depression, inactivity, and obesity; and a lower likelihood of marriage in adulthood. Other factors included being married more than once and having psychiatric problems or cardiovascular risk factors. 

Over the past few years, the prevalence of Alzheimer's and dementia has declined1 in the U.S. Based on the baby boomers' test scores, though, Zheng says those numbers may start to rise. 

While late baby boomers (1960 to 1964) were not included in the study, Zheng believes their outcomes will be similar. To keep the same issues from affecting future generations, it's important to focus on the factors that may be associated with cognitive decline and try to reduce them.