Researchers from UC Davis Health conducted a study revealing a trend of increasing brain size among individuals born in later decades, with those born in the 1970s exhibiting significantly larger brain volumes and surface areas compared to those born in the 1930s. They suggest that this increase in brain size may lead to a greater brain reserve, potentially lowering the risk of age-related dementias. Published in JAMA Neurology, the study highlights the impact of birth decade on brain size and long-term brain health, indicating that external factors beyond genetics, such as health and education, may influence brain development. Utilizing MRI data from participants in the Framingham Heart Study spanning three generations, the research demonstrates consistent growth in various brain structures over decades, suggesting a potential correlation with improved brain health and a lower incidence of dementia despite the increasing aging population in America.
Human Brains Are Getting Larger. What This Means for Dementia
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