Elderly people are more likely to miscalculate neutral or even negative emotions as positive. For a long time, this "positive bias" helps to maintain emotional well-being in the elderly. However, Tel Aviv University and Cambridge scientists have found that the transition to positive emotions may be related to the deterioration of cognitive functions. The work was published in JNEUROSCI magazine.
665 volunteers took part in the experiment, which have performed a test of facial expressions. The elderly participants who showed expressed "positive bias" have had lower cognitive test points. At the same time, their level of depressive symptoms was not higher than normal. In addition, scientists have registered changes in the structures of the brain, which are responsible for developing emotions and social decisions.
"We now study how these results are related to the early cognitive decline in the elderly adults, particularly those who show indifference, which are often one of the first symptoms of Demencies," said the author of the study.
Translation of: Euromedia24.com
