Like other parts of the body, the brain’s activity also has certain changes over time. This article will help you better understand the effects of aging on brain activity and ways to slow down the brain aging process.
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How does aging affect brain activity?
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25 October, 2022The human brain is considered a “masterpiece of nature”. With an average weight of about 1.2-1.4kg, the brain contains about 100 billion cells connected to each other through trillions of synapses. This is also the organ with the most changes during the formation and development of an individual.
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Changes in the human brain during aging
The effect of age on the brain is shown in the following aspects:
Changes in cognition and memory
The natural aging process produces a number of changes in a person’s cognitive and memory abilities, including:
- Having trouble learning new things: It can take longer for new information to be transferred to the brain’s memory
- Affects multitasking: Slow problem solving reduces the ability to multi-task
- Remembering names, phone numbers, passwords… decreases over time
- Recalling a life event or learned knowledge is also more difficult.
However, not all brain activity declines as you age. In fact, certain cognitive abilities improve in middle age. The Seattle Longitudinal Study tracked the cognitive abilities of thousands of adults over the past 50 years. The results show that people entering middle age do better on tests of speaking, spatial reasoning, math, and abstract reasoning than younger people.
Older adults often worry about memory decline because it may be related to Alzheimer’s disease. However, Alzheimer’s and other dementias are not part of the natural aging process.
Changes in brain structure and neurotransmitter system
Changes in brain structure and neurotransmitter systems as a result of aging include:
- Brain volume: The overall volume of the brain begins to shrink as we turn 30. This rate of contraction increases around the age of 60, most evident in the prefrontal cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus.
- Cerebral cortex: The cerebral cortex also thins as we age due to the decline in synaptic connections. Losing these connections slows cognitive processing.
- White matter: White matter consists of bundles of myelinated nerve fibers, which carry nerve signals between brain cells. The researchers suggest that myelin shrinks with age, causing slower processing and impaired cognitive function.
- Nervous system: Many studies show that with age, the human brain produces fewer chemicals (neurotransmitters). Decreased activity of dopamine, acetylcholine, serotonin and norepinephrine will reduce cognition and memory, and increase the risk of depression in the elderly.
3 good methods to help slow down the aging process of the brain
Brain aging is something that no one can avoid. However, you can completely delay and minimize the negative effects of this process by the following methods:
Exercise regularly
Exercise has many health benefits, including slowing down the aging process. Combining aerobic and moderate endurance exercise for at least 45 minutes per session, several days a week can significantly boost brain power.
Play musical instruments to increase brain activity
Researchers at Baycrest Health Sciences (Toronto, Canada) say that playing musical instruments can help older adults avoid age-related cognitive decline and preserve their listening skills.
Follow a healthy diet
A healthy diet plays an important role in maintaining and promoting brain health.
In 2018, researchers found a link between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the blood and healthy brain aging. Another study has also determined that consuming foods found in the Mediterranean or MIND diet reduces the risk of memory loss in older adults.
The human brain will undergo noticeable changes during aging. Therefore, to improve the quality of life, you should build healthy living habits from today.
