Why Does Brain Aging Differ for Everyone?

You probably didn't know that our brains age as uniquely as our fingerprints. Some people experience subtle changes they have, while others have significant cognitive decline. That’s why brain aging, like everything else in the body, happens to some people faster than to others; and why we need to know what to do about it.

First, consider genetics. Our genes are like blueprints for the body and really shape how our brains age. Some inherit genes that make their brains more resistant to disease while others have genes that make them more susceptible to cognitive decline. For example you have the APOE4 gene, which is a very prominent genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. If you have one copy of the APOE4 gene, you are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease; if you have two, you are much more likely. Such as the amyloid plaques and tau tangles that can result in such harmful buildups, this gene affects how brain cells use and manage lipids. In fact, approximately 25 percent of people have one APOE4 copy and only about 3 percent carry two.

Genes aren't the whole story, though. In addition lifestyle factors also play a part in brain health. That is why what we eat, how much we exercise, and how well we sleep can make all the difference. Keeping our brains sharp is helped by eating a balanced diet, getting regular physical activity and good sleep hygiene. Inversely unhealthy habits can speed up brain aging.

Environmental factors then. The brain can age faster because of exposure to pollutants and toxins. Brain health can be affected by high pollution levels, significant stress or being in places with environmental hazards. However, they also need to be rolling with other health conditions. Cognitive decline can be accelerated by these chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. It is vital to take care of these conditions correctly, using medical care and lifestyle changes, to protect our brain function when we are aged.

One another essential factor is mental stimulation. Reading, or solving puzzles, or learning new skills, can help keep our minds engaged and ward of cognitive decline. Working your brain in the same way as you exercise your body helps keep it fit and healthy.

So, how do we know all this? With techniques such as MRIs and CT scans neuroimaging studies give us a window into how brain structure and function changes over time. There are people who experience a big brain shrinkage, others who have stable brain structures. Interesting variations are also revealed in cognitive tests. Using the same measures over time, scientists can also observe how memory, attention and problem solving can vary dramatically between people of the same age.

This is further added to by longitudinal studies. For example, a 25 year study showed that childhood intelligence accounts for a sizable amount of cognitive ability as we age. These studies may help explain how factors, accumulated over the years, contribute to brain health.

This complicated picture, then, how can we devise a personalized approach to slow brain aging and decrease risk? Early detection is key. A personalized healthcare approach can tell people who have risk factors, from genes like APOE4, how to take preventive measures and how closely to monitor. In other cases, drugs may be developed that are aimed at specifically reversing genetic effects, such as anti-inflammatory or lipid balancing drugs in the brain.

We also tailor lifestyle interventions for each person. For instance, diet, exercise routines and cognitive activities can also let some of the brain health is in place. Studies usually involve enrolling people who are at risk testing fresh treatments and searching for amends.

It is important to understand why and how brain aging varies. Looking at the genetic, lifestyle, environmental, and health factors can help keep people as they age able to maintain their cognitive abilities and have a better quality of life.

References:

1. Stern, Yaakov. “Cognitive Reserve in Ageing and Alzheimer's Disease.” The Lancet Neurology, vol. 11, no. 11, 2012, pp. 1006–1012
2. Nyberg, Lars, and Lars-G?ran Nilsson. “Cognitive and Brain Reserves in Ageing and Alzheimer's Disease.” Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, vol. 9, 2017, article 414
3. Deary, Ian J., et al. “The Impact of Childhood Intelligence on Later Life: Following Up the Scottish Mental Surveys of 1932 and 1947.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, vol. 86, no. 1, 2004, pp. 130-147