As we age, our bodies change in countless ways, but one question that’s been gaining attention in recent years is: how old is your brain? While it may seem like a mystery, recent research has revealed that our brains don’t all age at the same pace, and there are ways to assess and even slow down this process.
A thought-provoking article from New Scientist explores the science behind brain aging and highlights the fact that some people’s brains are aging faster than others. One method of measuring your brain’s age is through MRI scans, which have shown that our brains start to shrink from around the age of 30 due to atrophy in the cells and their connections. By analyzing thousands of these brain scans, scientists can now pinpoint whether a brain is aging at a faster or slower rate than expected.
Additionally, genetic tests have provided insights into how certain gene variants affect the aging process of the brain. Recent research has identified seven gene variants that particularly influence accelerated brain aging. Interestingly, the levels of certain proteins also play a role. One large study found that 1 in 5 people had an organ—specifically the brain—that showed signs of accelerated aging. Notably, those with an accelerated brain age had an increased risk of developing conditions such as dementia.
The article also references a significant study led by Christos Davatzikos at the University of Pennsylvania, which analyzed brain scans from nearly 50,000 people and identified five distinct patterns of brain aging. These patterns were linked to various age-related diseases, and lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and diet were found to influence which pattern a person’s brain followed. For example, people who smoked or had diets high in cheese, coffee, or salt were more likely to show patterns linked to dementia, while those who consumed tea and cereals had healthier brain aging patterns.
This growing body of evidence suggests that lifestyle choices can indeed influence the rate at which our brains age. As New Scientist points out, research has even suggested that up to 40% of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed with proper lifestyle interventions.
To track brain aging, some companies have developed tests to determine your brain age, such as NeuroAge Therapeutics. The company, founded by physician and neuroscientist Christin Glorioso, uses MRI scans, blood tests, and cognitive games to assess brain health and identify potential issues like white matter hyperintensities—damaged areas of tissue that increase the risk of stroke and dementia. NeuroAge also suggests that people with genetic predispositions for Alzheimer’s disease can offset the effects by having a brain that ages more slowly than their actual age.
While these advanced tests can be expensive, there are simpler ways to slow brain aging. Studies have shown that common supplements and dietary choices—such as ensuring adequate vitamin D intake and eating enough omega-3 fatty acids—can help reduce the effects of accelerated brain aging. Additionally, keeping the brain active through learning new skills, speaking multiple languages, and maintaining a robust social life can enhance cognitive reserve, improving the brain’s resilience against damage.
Moreover, the Lancet Commission on Brain Aging has highlighted 14 lifestyle risk factors for accelerated brain aging. Among them, smoking and even low-level alcohol consumption have been strongly linked to faster brain aging. Diet is a bit more complicated, but the Mediterranean diet has been associated with a significantly lower risk of cognitive decline.
There’s also one surprisingly simple intervention: correcting unaddressed vision problems. Studies have shown that poor vision can contribute to faster brain aging, though researchers aren’t yet sure why. However, the evidence is compelling enough that it might be time to book that eye exam.
