Changes in the ageing brain

'Understanding how the brain changes as people age is an important part of the fight to protect against cognitive diseases such as dementia. This latest study looks at how complex brain processes, like the ability to plan, are affected in later life.

People displaying the signs of Alzheimer's disease were ruled out of the study. Those with subtle vascular changes in the brain may have been included. Further work is needed to establish if the pattern of change is related to age only or vascular changes brain.'

Professor Clive Ballard
Director of research
Alzheimer's Society