What allows some people to reach old age with a lucid mind while others face early decline? Those with a higher educational attainment—12 or more years of schooling—and higher scores on the Educational and Occupational Index performed better on all cognitive tests, including verbal fluency and memory. Surprisingly, participants who had high blood pressure in middle age showed better cognitive performance in old age. Physical activity in midlife also showed a modest positive association with verbal fluency, but not with other cognitive functions. The importance of learningTo date, education remains the most robust factor in the fight against cognitive decline, although this aspect remains under debate.