A recent small study investigated a behaviour of 67 older adults aged 69 (on average) without dementia or any other brain health issues. The participants had to decide whether to give money to an anonymous person or keep it for themselves. In addition, they completed a number of cognitive and neuropsychological tests. The last onces are commonly used to help diagnose early Alzheimer’s disease.

The results showed that those who gave away more money, scored significantly lower on the neuropsychological tests which are sensitive to Alzheimer’s, but not on other cognitive tests, such as word or story recalling.

The researchers assume that if a person is experiencing some changes in their altruistic behaviour, that might indicate the ongoing changes in the brain.

Of course, more research is needed to confirm the results of this study and to better understand the actual reason of the changes in the someone’s altruistic behaviour.

Curious? HERE is the source