It's interesting to note another study indicating the value of calorie restriction in slowing aging. The implications for age-related cognitive impairment aren't simply the apparent effects on physical disorders such as cardiovascular problems, that we know affect cognition. It may be that there is a more direct effect as well, since it now appears that calorie restriction also directly affects primary markers of aging. A new study involving people between 25 and 45 may tell us more.

3 longitudinal studies -- the Scottish Mental Survey; the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (US); the National Education Longitudinal Study -- have all found that mental abilities remain remarkably stable throughout life. Now a new study suggests that these abilities can be measured in babies as young as 4 months. Researchers do not, however, conclude from this that adult intelligence is set from birth (or indeed, conception) -- there is plenty of evidence that training can alter these measures. What they do suggest is that our education systems lock in early cognitive potential -- to the detriment, of course, to all those who don't show pramise at an early age.