As the number of people aged 65 and older continues to rise, so does the urgency to understand how to protect the brain from age-related decline. Cognitive abilities often weaken with age, but certain factors appear to help preserve mental sharpness. Scientists are now working to uncover the specific mechanisms that support brain health and help older adults maintain strong cognitive function throughout life.
Previous research has shown that education, mental stimulation, and family history all play roles in supporting brain health. People who pursue more years of formal learning, engage in mentally challenging activities, or come from families with a history of longevity tend to perform better on cognitive tests. Yet it has remained unclear how these factors interact — whether they work together, or act through separate pathways to strengthen the brain against decline.
A new study led by researchers at Boston University sheds light on this question. For the first time, scientists examined how family longevity, education, and mentally engaging activities interact to promote cognitive resilience in older adulthood. They found that older adults who did not come from long-lived families could achieve similar levels of executive function and language skills as those who did — provided they regularly took part in activities like reading, writing, playing games, and visiting museums. However, when both groups had similar engagement levels, those with a family history of longevity still showed stronger memory performance.
“Our findings highlight the importance of keeping your mind engaged in different ways to maintain brain health,” said senior author Stacy Andersen, PhD, assistant professor of medicine at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and co-director of the New England Centenarian Study. “If there’s something that sparks your curiosity, learn more about it — it might help protect your brain too.”
The study used data from the National Institute on Aging-funded Long Life Family Study, which tracks genetic and behavioural factors linked to healthy ageing. Participants completed a series of cognitive tests and a questionnaire about their mental activities. Researchers compared results between those with and without family histories of longevity, exploring how inherited traits and lifestyle habits combine to shape cognitive outcomes in older age.
By modelling how these factors work together, the researchers were able to see how education, family background, and mental engagement each contribute to cognitive ageing. Corresponding author Nicole Roth, MS, a biostatistician with Boston University, explained that understanding these pathways can help scientists design strategies to protect the brain. Such insights could inform future efforts to delay or prevent conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, where mental resilience may offer a vital defence even in the presence of harmful brain changes.
More information: Stacy Andersen et al, Pathway analysis of cognitive resilience factors and cognitive function in the Long Life Family Study (LLFS), Neuropsychology. DOI: 10.1037/neu0001039
Journal information: Neuropsychology Provided by Boston University School of Medicine
