Frequent Sex May Improve Cognition in Elderly

Sexual activity (SA) was associated with overall better scores on tests of verbal fluency, visuospatial ability, and the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-III (ACE-III), according to the results of a recent study.

The researchers included 73 participants, aged 50 to 83 years, in their study. All participants completed the ACE-III, as well as questionnaires on the frequency of SA, general health, and lifestyle.
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The researchers conducted multiple regression models to adjust for age, gender, education, and cardiovascular health. Overall, weekly SA was a significant predictor of total ACE-III, fluency, and visuospatial scores, while no SA was a predictor of lower ACE-III and fluency scores. Monthly SA was a predictor of lower visuospatial scores.

“Both of these tasks involve working memory and executive function, and links between sexual behavior, memory, and dopamine are discussed. The findings have implications for the maintenance of intimate relationships in later life,” the researchers concluded.

SA was not associated with attention, memory, or language scores.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Wright H, Jenks RA, Demeyere N. Frequent sexual activity predicts specific cognitive abilities in older adults [published online June 21, 2017]. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbx065.