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How you have been treated in life and how you treat yourself may influence the age of your brain. A recent study from the University of Florida indicates that it's not just genetics that matter, but also the small daily decisions we make that affect our routines, stress, and overall outlook, which can all influence brain health. The researchers observed 128 adults who were in midlife and older for a duration of two years. Many of the participants either experienced ongoing musculoskeletal pain or were at risk for knee osteoarthritis. By using MRI scans and machine learning analyses, the researchers estimated the "brain age" of each participant and compared it to their actual age. This difference, referred to as the brain age gap, was an indicator of brain health overall. A younger brain age indicated greater resilience, whereas an older brain age suggested more susceptibility to cognitive decline. The findings were remarkable.
Participants who engaged in more health-promoting activities had brains that seemed much younger than their chronological age. In fact, those who adopted the most positive lifestyle choices started the study with brains that looked about eight years younger and continued to age at a slower rate during the follow-up. The researchers discovered that some life challenges, such as chronic pain, lower income, limited education, and social disadvantages, were associated with older-looking brains. However, these links became less significant over time. What was more evident were the protective habits that people consistently practiced.
Getting regular, restorative sleep, keeping a healthy body weight, staying away from tobacco, effectively handling stress, and maintaining supportive relationships were all strongly and consistently related to healthier brain outcomes. In simpler terms, while difficulties can have an effect, daily habits seem to have a stronger and more lasting impact on how our brains age.
These are aspects that individuals can influence to some degree. You can learn to view stress in a new way. Poor sleep can be significantly improved. Being optimistic can be developed through practice," mentioned Jared Tanner, PhD, an associate professor of clinical and health psychology at the University of Florida and a leader of the study. What makes this research especially significant is its focus on those dealing with persistent pain. Chronic pain is known to influence various brain networks, often heightening the chances of experiencing depression, decreased movement, and cognitive decline. However, the results indicate that adopting positive lifestyle habits can lessen some of these risks. Even when dealing with ongoing pain, people who identified more protective factors demonstrated a slower rate of brain aging. "The consistent message from our studies shows that healthy behaviors not only correlate with less pain and improved physical abilities, but they also seem to enhance health significantly," stated Kimberly Sibille, PhD, an associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at UF and the lead author of the report.
Aging brains are more vulnerable to issues like dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Past studies typically concentrated on particular areas of the brain, but stress, pain, and significant life changes usually impact the brain more broadly. The brain age gap provides a comprehensive measure of how well the brain is functioning.
Although this research focused on individuals with chronic pain, the scientists believe its implications reach beyond just that group. Practices such as enhancing sleep quality, minimizing stress, and building social connections are likely to benefit brain health for everyone. "For each extra health-promoting factor, there is some evidence of benefits at the neurobiological level," Sibille said. "Our results align with the increasing evidence that lifestyle choices are akin to medicine." The conclusion is straightforward and encouraging. While we cannot reverse aging, we might slow it down, one healthy habit at a time.
