New research suggests a link between senior victims of financial crimes and their brain health.

University of Southern California brain health researcher Duke Han discovered that poor financial decisions can be one of the earliest signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Han analyzed the brains of 18- to 94-year-olds and found a significant thinning in areas of the brain used for critical thinking in those 60 and older.

“What’s interesting is that this is in older adults who are not showing significant signs of cognitive impairment or memory problems,” Han said.

In this episode of “Muthaship,” Han explains the warning signs, risk factors, and exercises seniors can do to keep their brains healthy.