Fish or bird ownership showed no significant link to slower cognitive decline in study with implications for ageing societies

Fish or bird ownership showed no significant link to slower cognitive decline in study with implications for ageing societies

As global population ages and dementia rates climb, scientists may have found an unexpected ally in the fight against cognitive decline.

Cats and dogs may be exercising more than just your patience: they could be keeping parts of your brain ticking over too. In a potential breakthrough for preventive health, researchers have found that owning a four-pawed friend is linked to slower cognitive decline by potentially preserving specific brain functions as we grow older.

Interestingly, the associations differ depending on the animal: dog owners were found to retain sharper memory, both immediate and delayed, while cat owners showed slower decline in verbal fluency.

  • Maeve@kbin.earth
    141·
    1 day ago

    Bird ownership may negatively affect the owner’s sleep quality due to the increased noise levels, which has been shown to be associated with cognitive decline.”

    This person never had a kitten, let alone a mom-less feral. They certainly do exercise patience, at all hours, specifically 3-6 in the morning. Mine just settled down on my arm that’s alternately a tree and scratching/teething post.