Brad Sutton, an expert in the neuroscience of the aging brain and professor of bioengineering, tells Newsweek how to slow the shrinking process.
– The brain is a really complex organ that has lots of components that come together to maintain function as we get older. And we’re seeing things with MRIs that can reflect changes in the structure of the brain, how it’s put together, and changes in how it functions, says Brad Sutton.
The expert explains how the brain changes as we age.
– As you get older, your brain tissue is replaced with water-filled spaces. So we see volume reductions, says Brad Sutton.
He continues:
– Just by looking at an image of the brain, we can see differences. But if we zoom in, we can measure how our neurons communicate with each other. We can see changes in how these neurons are arranged and how effectively different parts of the brain can communicate with each other.
Exercise keeps the brain in shape
Physical activity helps the brain as well as the body to stay fit. Cardio training has been shown to be particularly effective.
– Just by looking at brain size, we can see that older people who do these forms of exercise gain brain tissue in just six months. And usually by the time we can see it in an image, the effect is quite large, says the professor.
