SAGE Crossroads looks at age-related mental decline and what could be done about it. "Contrary to popular belief, 'there is not an inexorable decline in mental function in older people. If you follow [older] people over time, a lot do get worse, but most stay the same--and some get better.' ... A growing body of research is geared toward determining what keeps some people's minds nimble into old age, and how to reproduce that success in the rest of us. Some scientists have identified genes that are associated with successful aging of the brain and hope to find drugs with similar effects. Others have discovered that simpler solutions like mental exercises also might prevent dementia." Pfizer is currently testing ways of replicating a genetic difference found in some of the most mentally capable centenarians.

Link: http://www.sagecrossroads.net/Default.aspx?TabID=28&newsType=ArticleView&articleId=109