New research has revealed that old age could start as young as 27 when mental powers start to dwindle, after peaking at 22.
However, if you find yourself walking into a room and asking "what did I come in here for?", regularly forgetting to turn off the iron or you're just worried about losing the edge, there are a few simple steps you can take to help keep your brain in shape.
The advice of a nutritionist on behalf of a retailer with an interest in these matters suggests: "Try to fit in a crossword or Sudoku puzzle a day to give your brain a bit of a challenge. Sports like tennis and badminton also give your brain a good workout. You should avoid foods such as saturated fats, trans fats, sugar, caffeine and alcohol, which deplete brain supporting nutrients, and eat plenty of fish, a mixture of different coloured fruits and vegetables, nuts, fibre and olive oil."
Alas, a few more TIMES crosswords will have to be completed before the name of the company comes to mind.

Tall order
ON the subject of challenges, a charity is inviting people to settle the 'My dad's braver than your dad' score.
With Father's Day quickly approaching, Mencap is calling on fathers, sons and daughters to celebrate Sunday 21 June with an abseil down the Europa Hotel.
The abseil will kick off Learning Disability Week 2009 running from 22-28 June. This year's theme focuses on the Changing places, changing lives campaign. (For further information visit www.changing-places.org)
All abseil participants will be asked to pay an initial registration fee of £30 and then commit to raising as much money as possible. If you would like to take part in the event, contact Catherine Knox on 028 9069 0166 or email catherine.knox@mencap.org.uk
Oh to have a head for heights.

Devil's in the detail
AN invitation to send the head spinning - or at least demand a double take - also arrived at 19 North Street.
"You are welcome to sample the wines for a review." That was the message from a Central location keen to promote a 19-day festival, which started yesterday (Wednesday) and continues until 28 June.
The host helpfully added:"The six new wines have been sourced for the pub from one of the world's leading winemakers, who has crafted the wines himself."
It must have been a very interesting "crafting" experience that gave rise to Ponte del Diavalo and Steam Wharf Road.

Head spinner part two...
OK, just picture yourself inside a massive inflatable ball, approx 3 metres in height, hurtling at high speed down a hill face twice!
Harnessed Zorbing sees the rider strapped in at the shoulders, hips and feet. The ball rolls down the hill and the experience only finishes when you reach the bottom! Generally two people ride the harnessed sphere at a time to balance weight.
And that's what The Cedar Foundation is asking brave volunteers from the Carrickfergus area to do.
Christine Tweedie, the charity's Fundraising Co-ordinator, says " Experience all of the thrill, exhilaration and speed of harnessed zorbing and, just as you are recovering from that, experience it all over again. We have done all the hard work for you – finding a brand new fun event for anyone over 12 to take part in.
It's all for a worthy cause, raising funds for disabled people of all ages across Northern Ireland. All you need to do is pay £20 deposit and raise £80 in sponsorship to take part in the event on 12 September.
For further information tel: 02890 666188 or log on to www.cedar-foundation.org

Back to the future
DON'T let the facts get in the way of a good party sprang to mind after a player in the glossy world of cinema made contact with your favourite family newspaper.
Empire magazine was planning to celebrate its 20th birthday in style on Thursday, May 29th with some of the biggest names in the British film industry. Among the highlights was an auction of 20 specially-commissioned photographs, which recently appeared in the film magazine's 20th anniversary edition (guest-edited by Steven Spielberg).
The correspondence, however, wasn't an invitation to follow in Spielberg's footsteps, but advice on red carpet arrivals accreditation. Joining Empire's editorial and publicity team was a host of the industry's most respected film makers and actors. Not sure if all members of the publicity team were there, however, as the date was also given as Thursday, May 28th. No doubt the guest-editor spotted this anomaly.