Researchers from the University of California Davis Health have discovered that human brains have been growing over time, potentially leading to improved brain health as people age. The study, published in JAMA Neurology, analyzed MRI data of individuals born between the 1930s and 1970s. The findings revealed that babies born in the 1970s had larger brain surface area and volume compared to those born in the 1930s.
The researchers also observed an increase in size of areas related to memory and learning in the newer generation. While having a larger brain may not necessarily equate to increased intelligence, researchers believe that it could be beneficial for brain health.
In a separate study published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 2016, researchers found a decrease in the percentage of people newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease per decade despite an overall increase in patients as the population ages. This suggests that larger brain structures observed in recent studies could indicate improved brain development and health, providing a buffer against age-related brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Further research is needed to understand the full implications of larger brains on brain health and cognitive function. However, these findings suggest that having a bigger brain may offer protection against age-related brain diseases, potentially due to increased brain reserve and improved health allowing for better brain function as individuals grow older.
