Genes Important to Keep Brain Sharp Through Old Age   Live Science - January 19, 2012
A person's intelligence is mostly inherited, it's in their genes, but whether a person can expect to be a clever grandma or grandpa relies on both genes and environment. Until now, we have not had an estimate of how much genetic differences affect how people's intelligence changes across the lifetime. These new results mean that researchers can seek both environmental and genetic contributions to successful cognitive aging. Previous studies of the genetics of intelligence have been performed on sets of twins or siblings who have been adopted and raised in different environments. These studies showed a genetic component of intelligence, but previous studies weren't able to determine how this changes over a lifetime.

Scientists discover a brain cell malfunction in schizophrenia   PhysOrg - December 28, 2011
Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have discovered that DNA stays too tightly wound in certain brain cells of schizophrenic subjects. The findings suggest that drugs already in development for other diseases might eventually offer hope as a treatment for schizophrenia and related conditions in the elderly.

Aging Brains Match Youth in Some Mental Tasks   Live Science - December 28, 2011
Since physical abilities decline as people age, many people think the elderly are also less able to perform mental jumping jacks as they age. New research indicates this might not be true with all brain-powered tasks: In some ways the elderly are fit to compete with their younger counterparts. Both young and old brains take longer to reach decisions in some settings, the researchers say, because they make the conscious choice to choose accuracy over speed.

Couples Grow Old, Happy and Sad Together   Live Science - December 30, 2010
As couples grow old together, their happiness levels also wax and wane in sync, a new study suggests. The findings suggest a possible resource that hasn't been tapped for promoting healthy aging. Similar to a pill or other treatment, a chipper spouse may boost a partner's feelings of well-being.

Older adults experience 'destination amnesia' and over-confidence with false beliefs   PhysOrg - August 31, 2010
Older adults are more likely to have destination memory failures - forgetting who they've shared or not shared information with. It's the kind of memory faux pas that can lead to awkward or embarrassing social situations and even miscommunication in the doctor's office. Ironically, after making these memory errors older adults remain highly confident in their false beliefs.

Brain training reverses age-related cognitive decline   PhysOrg - July 20, 2010
The results indicate that people who experience age-related cognitive decline, including slower mental processing and decreased response to new stimuli, might also benefit from specially designed mental exercises.

Helping senior drivers to stay safe and on the road longer   PhysOrg - July 5, 2010
A tool developed by researchers at The University of Western Ontario is designed to help seniors make better choices in automobiles and safety features, and perhaps allow them to drive safer and longer.

Census records 157-year-old woman   BBC - June 9, 2010
Estimates of the size and composition of Indonesia's booming population may remain just that despite an ongoing census, if the "discovery" of a 157-year-old woman is anything to go by. Census officials have said they believe the woman's claims to have been born in 1853, when Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata debuted in Venice, the Crimean War erupted and San Francisco got its first street signs at intersections. There's no authentic data to prove her age but judging from her statements and the age of her adopted daughter, who's now 108 years old, it's difficult to doubt it.

Learning Keeps Brain Healthy: Mental Activity Could Stave Off Age-Related Cognitive and Memory Decline   Science Daily - March 3, 2010
UC Irvine neurobiologists are providing the first visual evidence that learning promotes brain health -- and, therefore, that mental stimulation could limit the debilitating effects of aging on memory and the mind. Using a novel visualization technique they devised to study memory, a research team led by Lulu Chen and Christine Gall found that everyday forms of learning animate neuron receptors that help keep brain cells functioning at optimum levels. These receptors are activated by a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which facilitates the growth and differentiation of the connections, or synapses, responsible for communication among neurons. BDNF is key in the formation of memories.

Needing less sleep as you age is a myth claims scientist and could do you harm   Telegraph.co.uk - February 22, 2010
Maintaining the same amount of sleep you had when you were 35 could help ward off age related 'cognitive decline' and improve general health.

Seniors Have Rewarding Sex Lives   Live Science - January 26, 2010
Senior citizens often have rewarding sex lives, according to new research aimed at revealing the nuances of sexuality in the elderly. The findings from a set of studies showed that older men between the ages of 57 and 85 are more likely than older women to be sexually active and open. The intimacy of sex, however, was found to be important to both men and women across all ages. And just as in younger adults, healthy sex means healthy senior citizens.