Brain can keep improving even in your 90s, new study finds

A new three-year study from The University of Texas at Dallas has found that the human brain can continue to improve throughout life, even into a person's 90s.

The research, titled ‘Measuring and increasing the brain health span across adulthood: a public health imperative’ and published on Nature.com, challenges the long held belief that aging automatically leads to a decline in mental abilities.

Scientists discovered that participants who spent just five to fifteen minutes a day on brain training activities showed measurable improvements in several areas of brain health.

The study tracked 3,966 adults between the ages of 19 and 94 as part of The Brain Health Project (BHP), a large research initiative launched in 2020. Researchers used a special assessment tool called the Brain Health Index (BHI) to measure participant’s progress over three years. 

The index evaluates thinking clarity, emotional balance, and a person’s connection to others and their sense of purpose in life.

According to the findings, positive changes were seen in people of all age groups, including participants in their 80s and 90s. Researchers said the results show that brain health can be strengthened long before any signs of memory loss or disease appear.

The study suggests that people do not have to wait until they experience cognitive problems before taking steps to improve their brain function.

One of the most significant findings was that participants who began the study with the lowest Brain Health Index scores experienced the greatest improvements over time. Researchers believe these individuals may have been more motivated to engage with the training activities. However, even participants who started with high scores continued to show measurable growth, proving that everyone has the potential to improve their brain health.

The research also found that engagement was the strongest factor linked to improvement. Age, gender, and education level did not determine whether a participant's brain health improved. This suggests that consistent effort and participation are more important than personal background when it comes to strengthening the brain.

Researchers acknowledged that most participants were white, female, and college educated, meaning future studies should include more diverse populations.

The BrainHealth Project is continuing its work through long-term monitoring and brain imaging studies. Scientists hope the research will increase public awareness of neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to change and grow and encourage people to take an active role in improving their brain health throughout their lives.