In a recent report by special counsel Robert Hur, President Joe Biden was described as an “elderly man with a poor memory,” sparking significant discussions about the cognitive changes associated with aging, according to neurologists.
The report, focusing on Biden’s handling of classified documents, highlighted instances where the president struggled to recall specific details, such as the timeframe of his vice presidency and the period of his late son Beau Biden’s passing. Biden, however, refuted these claims during a press conference, asserting that his memory remains intact.
Further scrutiny arose from other incidents where the 81-year-old president appeared to mix up names of foreign leaders. Yet, neurologists caution that forgetting names or experiencing difficulty recalling past events, especially under stress, is a common aspect of normal aging.
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“If you asked me when my mother passed away, I couldn’t necessarily tell you the exact year because it was many years ago,” Dr. Paul Newhouse, clinical core leader for the Vanderbilt Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, said.
Almost every older patient has trouble remembering people’s names, Newhouse said.
“I think it’s by far the most universal complaint of every person as they age,” Newhouse said.
Dr. Paul Newhouse, clinical core leader for the Vanderbilt Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, explained that forgetting names is a universal complaint among older individuals and doesn’t necessarily indicate a memory disorder. This sentiment was echoed by Dr. Dennis Selkoe, co-director of the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, who emphasized that stress and lack of sleep can affect memory regardless of age.
Dr. Thomas Wisniewski, director of NYU Langone Health’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, noted that while older brains may struggle with retaining new information, other mental processes like decision-making and judgment can actually improve with age due to accumulated life experiences.
The concern, according to experts, arises when individuals experience difficulty recalling recent or past experiences. Issues with episodic memory, such as forgetting recent events like going shopping, can signal a progressive disorder. However, neurologists stress that forgetting remote memories from many years ago is less worrisome than an inability to recall recent events, as dementia typically affects short-term memory first.
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Overall, while discussions around aging often focus on memory decline, there are cognitive benefits that come with age, including emotional intelligence and improved decision-making abilities.
While concerns about cognitive changes in aging individuals are valid, it’s essential to understand the nuances of memory function and not jump to conclusions based solely on isolated incidents of forgetfulness. Only a thorough evaluation by a medical professional can accurately diagnose memory disorders.
