Past studies have found a connection between sexual and cognitive function, including in older adults. But much of this research has relied on studying people at singular points in
their life. In this new study, led by scientists at Penn State University, the team had access to data that allowed them to follow people over time.Specifically, they analyzed data from hundreds of older men enrolled in the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging , anthat’s trying to pin down the genetic and environmental factors that affect people’s aging brains. More than 800 men were included in the team’s analysis, with an average age of 56 at the start of the study.
released by the university. “These associations survived adjustment for demographic and health factors, which tells us there is a clear connection between our sex lives and our cognition.”Longitudinal studies are better than similar types of research at showing a genuine association between any two factors—in this case, sexual and brain health.