Active Lifestyle Reduces Brain Age Gap by Up to 45% in 70-Year-Olds

A groundbreaking study of healthy 70-year-olds reveals that lifestyle choices dramatically influence whether our brains appear “older” or “younger” than our actual age. Scientists found that regular physical activity and controlled blood sugar levels help maintain a more youthful brain structure, while conditions like diabetes and stroke accelerate brain aging.

Using advanced AI brain imaging analysis, researchers examined 70-year-olds to understand what makes some brains appear younger than others. The study revealed that physically active individuals, especially those managing their weight, showed brain structures up to 45% “younger” than their inactive peers. Surprisingly, people with slightly elevated blood sugar (prediabetes) showed signs of better brain preservation.

The research identified inflammation and blood vessel health as key factors in brain aging. Those with higher inflammation levels or small blood vessel disease showed accelerated brain aging, particularly affecting attention, processing speed, and visual-spatial abilities. Interestingly, these patterns differed between men and women, suggesting that sex-specific approaches might be needed for brain health.

These findings offer hope that simple lifestyle changes like staying physically active and controlling inflammation could help maintain a younger-appearing brain. Future research will explore why some people keep more resilient brains and how to optimize lifestyle interventions for brain health.

Reference: Marseglia A, et al. Biological brain age and resilience in cognitively unimpaired 70‐year‐old individuals. Alzheimer’s & Dementia. 2024.