Research from the University of Texas at Dallas' Center for BrainHealth finds that mental acuity does not inevitably diminish with age.
Overview
New research from Center for BrainHealth shows the brain retains the capacity to improve throughout life. The research paints a hopeful picture of lifelong brain potential based on a study of nearly 4,000 adults ages 19 to 94.Director of Clinical Research Lori Cook, PhD, says traditional medical screenings are primarily designed to detect diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and are often not sensitive enough to identify subtle cognitive changes that healthy adults notice over time.“”
“Multitasking is one of the most toxic behaviors we can do for our brain,” explains Dr. Cook, who recommends applying cognitive skills in meaningful ways through richer conversations, learning new subjects, solving real-world problems and engaging with others.
Practical strategies such as limiting multitasking, taking restorative brain breaks and applying thinking skills to real-world challenges emerge as actionable ways to support memory and mental acuity over time.Participants demonstrated similar upward gains in cognitive performance whether in their 20s or 80s, reinforcing the idea that brain health is not fixed but is continually shaped through daily habits, focused attention, stress management, meaningful engagement and social connection. Read more at KERA News
