Growing Brains: Study Suggests Positive Sign for Alzheimer’s as Brain Size Increases Over Time

New Study Reveals Brain Size Increase Could Be Positive Sign for Alzheimer’s

A study conducted by UC Davis Health Medical Center and published in the journal JAMA Neurology has found that people’s brains are getting larger over time, which could be a positive sign that conditions like Alzheimer’s are improving. The study revealed that individuals born in the 1970s and later have 6.6% more mass and 15% more surface area compared to those born in the 1930s.

The study, reported in the media on April 26, was led by Charles DeCarli, a professor of neurology at UC Davis Health. According to DeCarli, genetics play a significant role in determining brain size, but external factors such as health, society, culture, and education also have some influence.

The researchers examined data from the Framingham Heart Study, which spanned 75 years, analyzing MRI images of over 3,200 individuals born between 1925 and 1968. The findings showed a gradual and steady increase in brain size over time. The study revealed that brain size and surface area have increased over the years, with additional mass found in the gray matter, white matter, and hippocampus. These brain regions are crucial for memory, learning, and communication between different brain areas.

The researchers view these results as promisingly suggesting that age-related memory decline may be improving in the general population. They believe that larger brain structures could lead to better information storage and potentially lessen the impacts of aging over time. The study highlights the importance of factors like genetics, health, and education in brain development and cognitive function.

Overall this research sheds light on how external factors can influence brain development beyond just genetics. It also provides hope for future generations who may benefit from larger brains due to improved health or educational opportunities.