An international team of researchers has identified for the first time age periods when the human brain gradually loses the ability to concentrate, suppress impulses, and make effective decisions. These skills, known as cognitive control, underlie planning, multitasking, and sustained attention.
The results of the analysis showed that the first changes are recorded from about 24 years old – reaction speed decreases. The next noticeable milestone occurs in the mid-40s, when the brain finds it more difficult to cope with multitasking. The most pronounced decline is observed after 60 years: the ability to manage cognitive processes and control unwanted thoughts or actions significantly deteriorates.
Scientists emphasize that the rate of decline in cognitive control is individual and depends on lifestyle, level of physical activity, nutrition, and social connections.
Regular physical and mental exercise, as well as adequate sleep, can delay or mitigate age-related changes. The discovery has important implications for dementia prevention, the development of mental health programs, and the adaptation of educational and professional strategies for different age groups.
