A mental moment

As if there were not enough troubles in the world, now scientists tell us that our mental abilities begin to decline at age 27.

You read that right. A new study of 2,000 men and women presented some shocking findings when it was released last week. The study shows -- following substantial testing -- that the average age for maximum mental abilities peaks at 22 and shows declines beginning at age 27.

My personal calculator tells me I have been in decline for 35 years. I know several people who would agree with that assessment. Some would argue my decline has been even longer. But I digress.

The study indicates that various other researchers have shown a memory decline of significance by age 37 and even poorer results by age 42. But the magical age for maximum mental abilities is somewhere between 22 and 27.

So exactly what should we learn from this new revelation? Does that mean we need to consider electing our political leaders at a much younger age? The study's authors said it points to a need for therapies designed to prevent or reverse age-related conditions at a much earlier age.

I admit there is some confusion. On the one hand we're told that the possibilities for the senior population are endless. And now we're told that we may indeed lack the mental capabilities to fully appreciate or understand those possibilities.

What would a Congress look like fully populated with young adults ages 22 to 27? I suspect that mental abilities and maturity are two different issues.

OK, so here's the only "good" news to come from this extensive study: Abilities based on accumulated knowledge increase at least until age 60. So though we may not be able to solve puzzles as fast when we age, we still have a wealth of accumulated knowledge that sticks around until the verge of retirement.

I was going to make one final point on the study results, but for the life of me I can't seem to remember what that point was.

Maybe there's some truth to this research after all.