Senior moment not associated with Alzheimer’s disease

A study released today by researchers at the University of Virginia found that a “senior moment” is not a sign of impending dementia.

“Senior moments”, also known as Tip-of-the-tongue” (TOT’s) experiences, were tested across a group of 700 participants ranging in age from 18 to 99 years of age.  Older participants had a greater number of TOT’s than younger subjects but statistical analysis of the relationship between TOT’s and memory defects known to be associated with dementia could not be proven.

The researchers concluded that TOT’s and dementia  “appear to be at least partially independent phenomena” according to the study.

Additional information:
Psychological Science
Association for Psychological Science