The stereotype of the old forgetful person whose memory often fails him is widely held, but the reason for its appearance was never really pinpointed. Much like grey hair and wrinkles, it was just thought to be part of growing old. However, research has shown that there is a definite cause for the problem in older people. This research from Adam M. Brickman, PhD, of the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s disease and the Aging Brain at Columbia University Medical Center in New York, shows that silent strokes may be the cause. Essentially small dead spots in the brain are found in one out of four elderly people.

While circulation and loss of brain function from minute strokes may not be the whole solution it’s certainly an important part of it and reinforces the need to keep high cholesterol under control.