American scientists have noted post a study that a kind of protein that they have identified leads to changes in brain linked to problems with executive thinking skills, if present in high quantity in human body.

Problems in executive thinking skills, such as planning, decision-making and self-control are associated with high blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a German study also stated.

About 447 people who were aged underwent brain scans and were given tests of word fluency, executive function, and verbal memory. The time given to the participants for finishing the test of executive function was 85 seconds. But participants with the highest levels of CRP took an average of seven seconds more for completing the test as compared to those who had lowest CRP levels.

It was also noted by the researchers that people who had the highest CRP levels had brain changes equivalent to 12 more years of aging.

No link however could be established between the CRP levels and other cognitive functions, such as memory and language.

Dr Heike Wersching of the University of Munster, an author of the study said, "The use of aspirin and cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, as well as physical activity and controlling weight, can help lower CRP levels in the body, but our analyses did not consider whether therapy would be effective or not.”