Slow reaction time in midlife increases risk of dying early

A new research has revealed that having a slow reaction time in midlife increases risk of dying 15 years later.

Researchers from UCL and the University of Edinburgh have found that people with slower reaction times were 25% more likely to die compared to those with average reaction times.

Lead researcher Dr Gareth Hagger-Johnson said that the reaction time is thought to reflect a basic aspect of the central nervous system and speed of information processing is considered a basic cognitive ability, and a simple test of reaction time in adulthood can predict survival, independently of age, sex, ethnic group and socio-economic background.

People who are consistently slow to respond to new information may go on to experience problems that increase their risk of early death.

The study was published in the journal PLOS ONE.