Mark Fisher

We know that brain function tends to deteriorate with aging. One of the first to go of all the cognitive functions is called executive function. It's decision making. I see. And what could be more important for a political leader than decision making?

We know that brain function tends to deteriorate with aging. One of the first to go of all the cognitive functions is called executive function. It's decision making. I see. And what could be more important for a political leader than decision making?

Oh, I wouldn't say that. I wouldn't say that. No, I think that the experience that one gains over the course of a lifetime, extraordinarily important. But there are some measurable cognitive functions that do begin to decline over the age of 60.

Oh, I wouldn't say that. I wouldn't say that. No, I think that the experience that one gains over the course of a lifetime, extraordinarily important. But there are some measurable cognitive functions that do begin to decline over the age of 60.

You know, I'm a neurologist. Dumb is not a word that we use. Okay.

You know, I'm a neurologist. Dumb is not a word that we use. Okay.

Don't worry.

Don't worry.

Our Neuropolitics Center, we came out with a recommendation that cognitive testing should be done on all politicians, not just older politicians, all politicians.

Our Neuropolitics Center, we came out with a recommendation that cognitive testing should be done on all politicians, not just older politicians, all politicians.

An individual is given a number of things to remember, and then after a period of time, three to five minutes, they're asked to repeat that.

An individual is given a number of things to remember, and then after a period of time, three to five minutes, they're asked to repeat that.

It's only one part of the exam. Yeah, thank God. And by itself, it doesn't determine a whole lot. I mean, you have to look at the entire exam.

It's only one part of the exam. Yeah, thank God. And by itself, it doesn't determine a whole lot. I mean, you have to look at the entire exam.

Absolutely.

Absolutely.

But that's not really, that's really not assessed in real cognizance.

But that's not really, that's really not assessed in real cognizance.

This first part of the exam, this isn't scored, so this is just identification material.

This first part of the exam, this isn't scored, so this is just identification material.