The study, led by researchers from the University of Geneva and the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, followed 516 participants aged 70 to 103. Among nine cognitive tests, two verbal fluency tasks- naming as many animals or words beginning with "S" as possible in 90 seconds- were the strongest predictors of longevity.
Key findings:
Individuals in the top 25% for verbal fluency lived nearly nine years longer than those in the bottom 25%.
Each additional animal named reduced mortality risk by 5%, and each additional "S" word by 3%.
This link remained strong even after controlling for age, gender, and education.
Researchers suggest that verbal fluency requires the complex, well-coordinated interplay of multiple brain functions (accessing long-term memory, processing speed, and working memory). A significant decline in this coordination, often seen in cognitive aging and dementia, is associated with lower life expectancy. The study used a sophisticated statistical method (JMLSM) for more precise estimates.
The authors caution that these are probabilistic associations and cannot predict an individual's exact lifespan. However, maintaining an intellectually and socially active lifestyle is positively linked to cognitive health and longevity.