An Irish scientist says decline in mental capacity with age can be fought with various defenses including an ability to think young. Other factors that Ian Robertson, a neuroscientist at Dublin's Trinity College, recommends for keeping the mind sharp in later life are aerobic fitness, a stimulating job, a good education and willingness to keep learning, a minimum of stress, friends and a good social life, and a diet rich in oily fish, fruit and vegetables, Britain's Independent reports. "There is strong evidence that the degree to which you maintain your mental faculty depends on a number of simple environmental and behavioral factors," Robertson said. "If you start to think of yourself as old at the age of 60 then you'll behave old at 60. We know that optimists live longer than pessimists, and we know that optimism and mood has effects on the immune system and we know that the immune system is tied in with brain function," he added. © Copyright 2005 by United Press International

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