More than 200 men and women from across the North East who are helping with brain ageing research are gathering at the University of Aberdeen this afternoon (October 30).
The visitors congregating at Elphinstone Hall are part of what is known by University researchers as the 1936 birth cohort. And today that cohort – now in their seventh decade - will hear how the research they are involved with is progressing.
Ten years ago Professor Lawrence Whalley of the University of Aberdeen, rediscovered archived mental ability test results for all of Scotland's children born in either 1921 or 1936.
Since then the Professor of Mental Health has encouraged local people for whom he could find test results to take part in follow up brain ageing studies. More than 500 volunteered and of these over 400 returned two years later to undergo repeat tests.
And then again between 2004 and 2006, almost 250 underwent brain imaging in addition to repeat tests as part of the ageing research.
The studies have shown the significance of diet and physical activity, the relatively small contributions of genetics and the over-riding influence of a healthy lifestyle.
At today's gathering Dr Helen Fox, Study Coordinator, will summarise these findings, while Professor Lawrence Whalley and other researchers involved in the study with expertise in nutrition and psychology, will outline their plans for the future.
Professor Whalley said: "We are delighted to welcome our visitors to today's reunion. These people have been crucial in helping us establish normal values to compare with abnormalities suggestive of illness or mental failure in the clinic. Their contributions are very important.
"There is already wide interest among brain scientists in Europe and USA in our research. We hope the participation of our volunteers will help us identify the earliest signs of brain ageing and show what factors unique to a person seem to be important.
"In time, work of this type will provide a sound basis to test predictions of failure and interventions designed to slow or even arrest brain ageing."