Incredible facts
Surprisingly, some 80-year-olds have brains that function just as well as 30-year-olds. What is it that helps these people keep their brains in such great shape? Scientists have studied the brains of these people, but have not yet been able to come close to solving this phenomenon.
Using various tests, scientists from Northwestern University in Chicago selected a group of 80-year-old people who think as well as 30 year olds. The researchers literally looked into the brains of volunteers using magnetic resonance imaging and saw that the brains of these people are much younger than their passport age! This is indicated by the thicker cerebral cortex, as well as other parts of the brain that are responsible for memory, attention, and thinking skills.
Why do some people's brains age so slowly? Researchers do not yet know the answer to this question. So far, scientists assume that some people have a gene that helps the brain withstand the effects of aging.
An attempt to find a relationship between excellent brain health and lifestyle was unsuccessful. The subjects turned out to be very different people: some exercised regularly, while others were sedentary, some never smoked, while others smoked a pack of cigarettes every day.
In particular, among the test subjects was a woman who survived the Holocaust and drank whiskey every evening. In addition, the group included a woman who underwent chemotherapy and recovered from cancer. While some study participants had a whole bunch of medical conditions that required them to take large amounts of drugs, others were as healthy as possible in 80 years old.
Scientists have come to the conclusion that there is no single way to prolong the youth of the brain.
It is worth noting that excellent brain function at the age of 80 is very rare. Even if you think your mental abilities haven't changed at all in 50 years, the reality may be quite different. Of the 300 80-year-old people who claimed to have excellent brain function, only 30 have passed all the tests and were able to prove that their brains are still in the same condition as 50 years ago.
Scientists believe that studying the brains of people like their study participants is necessary. Perhaps, as a result, scientists will be able to create a cure for Alzheimer's disease.