Shrinking brains but healthy memory. Does brain matter matter?

Brain shrinkage, a common symptom of aging when people hit their 60's, appears to have no impact on an individual's capacity to think or learn, according to ANU research. The research is part of a 20 year study by the ANU Center for Mental Health Research called PATH through life and suggests a revision of long-standing views on the impact of age-related brain shrinkage.

Professor Helen Christensen, the Director of the Center for Mental Health Research(CMHR), said the findings challenged traditional beliefs about the impact of aging on the brain.

"The common belief is that the brain shrinks with age and that this shrinkage is linked to poorer memory and thinking. There is also a belief that greater education, or continued education, sustained intellectual activity might allow people to better accommodate the effects of brain aging," Professor Chrstensen said. "Our findings do not support these beliefs. It is known that the brain shrinks over the course of a person's life, although the exact trajectory isn't too well understood, and there are huge individual differences."

"In this study, we found no relationship between brain shrinkage and education level. Low eduational attainment has been found to predict the development of major memory difficulties and the recognition of dementia in previous work. However, little is known about whether education is protective of brain changes in the general population. Our findings do not support the role of education in protecting against either brain change or cognitive performance."

These findings are good news for the large proportion of baby boomers out there - and probably better news for the baby boomer women who show no evidence of brain shrinkage over this short period of time.

For more information on Powering Your Memory - please contact the Alzheimer's Association - WNY Chapter at (716)626-0600.

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