How old is your brain? Simple test reveals how good your memory really is
DO you have the brain of a youthful smart cookie or a wise old owl?
Many of our cognitive abilities peak in our twenties, but that doesn’t mean we lose all our wits as we age.
In fact vocabulary and the ability to focus tend to be best at middle age.
But our ability to remember new information – which is often used to judge the age of the brain – peak in our 20s, and then starts to decline noticeably from our 50s or 60s.
This is because the the hippocampus, a region of the brain involved in the formation and retrieval of memories, often deteriorates as we get older.
A test, made by brain training website brainHQ, reveals how old your brain could be be based of a memory game.
It begins asking you to memorise a list of 15 words which are unveiled consecutively for just one second each.
“Read each of the words, and try to remember them without taking notes,” the test explains.
After the test ends, you must recall as many words as possible on a piece of paper.
The words will then be disclosed.
If you remembered between seven and 15 words you have the brain of a 20-year-old.
And if you remembered four or under, you have the brain of an average 80-year-old.
“If you didn’t do as well as you hoped, don’t worry,” authors of the test said.
“This is just one simple test of one type of memory, and it’s intended for demonstration purposes only.
“It is not intended to provide a medical diaganosis.
“See your doctor if you are concerned.”
When is memory loss a cause for concern?
Most people forget things from time to time and it’s usually nothing to worry about.
But see a GP if you keep having problems with your memory.
The NHS says memory problems can be caused by stress, anxiety, depression or sleeping issue like insomnia.
But occasionally, memory loss can be a sign of something more serious, such as dementia.
But do not try to self-diagnose the cause of your memory loss – instead always see a doctor.