This is an illustration of the brain with the Limbic System drawn separately within the brain. The colors help to show the different parts of the Limbic System inside the brain. This will be useful as clip-art and for instructional materials.
Your Brain Might Be Aging Faster Than You Think — Here’s How to Keep It Healthy
By the time we hit 40, subtle changes start to occur in how our brain functions — small memory lapses, slower thinking, and occasional forgetfulness. You might walk into a room and forget why, or stand in the grocery store unsure of what you needed to buy. While many associate such cognitive slips with serious conditions like Alzheimer’s, experts say they’re often just signs of normal aging.
According to Matt Huentelman, a neuroscientist at the Translational Genomics Research Institute in Phoenix, the decline in memory and processing speed is common as we get older. Huentelman leads MindCrowd, a free online brain test taken by more than 700,000 people, aimed at understanding how individual brains age differently.
In a recent study of MindCrowd participants, about a thousand individuals scored far above average for their age — some even performed like people 30 years younger. While genetics do play a role, Huentelman and his team believe lifestyle choices are also critical in preserving cognitive function.
“These standout performers offer a window into what’s possible when it comes to maintaining mental sharpness with age,” says Huentelman.
Preliminary research suggests several lifestyle habits are strongly linked to healthier brain aging. These include:
- Getting quality sleep
- Exercising regularly
- Avoiding smoking
- Staying socially engaged
At a recent brain aging conference held by the McKnight Brain Research Foundation in Miami, sleep quality was a recurring theme. Dr. Christian Agudelo emphasized that restorative sleep is vital for brain repair and memory consolidation.
“Going to bed and waking up at consistent times, staying physically active, and maintaining social connections can all help improve sleep by increasing what we call ‘sleep pressure’ — the drive that helps us fall into deeper, more restful sleep,” Agudelo explained.
Another major factor in how the brain ages is vascular health — the condition of our blood vessels. Dr. Charles DeCarli, an expert in neurology, noted that even in people who haven’t had a stroke or heart attack, conditions like high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes can cause the brain to appear and function as if it’s much older.
“The size, structure, and tissue integrity of the brain can all be impacted by chronic conditions like hypertension,” DeCarli said.
His research, along with others in the field, suggests that well-managed cardiovascular health can help preserve brain structure and function. In essence, what’s good for your heart is also good for your brain.
“There’s growing evidence that if you control these risk factors — through medication, lifestyle, or both — you can maintain a brain that looks and works more like that of a younger person,” DeCarli added.
Brain aging isn’t something we’re helpless against. While genetics do play a role, much of our cognitive resilience appears to be within our control. Developing healthy daily routines — like eating a balanced diet, exercising, sleeping well, and staying mentally and socially engaged — may help slow the decline of memory and processing ability.
Researchers like Huentelman and DeCarli continue to uncover the complex ways our environment and habits shape our brain health over time. Their message is clear: it’s never too early — or too late — to start taking care of your brain.
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