“Survival of the fittest” is one of the most misunderstood terms in biology. Evoking images of physical prowess, it actually refers to an individual inheriting traits that increase the chances of having fertile offspring, such as brilliant plumage or a high sperm count. But according to an intriguing study published recently in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, for we humans, natural selection may favor grandparents who enjoy what appears to be genetic protection against dementia. The reasoning: maintaining cognition and memory well into old age enables elders to impart their wisdom to and care for their grandchildren, while elders with dementia require care themselves.
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