Researchers at a notable American university explored how aging in brain cells intersects with thinking skills. The study appeared in a peer reviewed journal focused on aging and biology sciences.
The aim was to understand why people of the same chronological age can show different levels of mental performance, including memory and how quickly they process information.
Scientists describe a concept known as biological age, or epigenetic aging, which reflects how the body and brain function in the present moment rather than simply counting years lived.
In this investigation, 142 participants aged 25 to 65 completed a two week battery of cognitive tasks delivered via smartphones. These tasks measured information processing speed and working memory, the mental system that temporarily holds new impressions. At the end of the testing period, blood samples were collected for DNA analysis.
The data revealed a clear pattern: individuals whose biological age exceeded their chronological age tended to score lower on processing speed and working memory tasks on average.
The study also looked at fluctuations in performance over time. It found that those with a higher biological age showed greater variability in cognitive output, suggesting less stability in cognitive performance.
Both biological age and chronological age emerged as important predictors, but in different ways. Older participants generally displayed less variability in cognitive performance, hinting that mental functions may become steadier with advancing age, even if the pace of change slows down.
Additional findings indicated that lifestyle factors can modulate brain aging. In one line of evidence, participants reporting a healthier diet showed signs of improved brain function over the course of the study, a trend that aligns with broader nutrition research. These observations contribute to a growing view that what people eat can influence how quickly the brain ages and how well cognitive functions hold up over time [CITATION: Journal of Gerontology: Biological Sciences].
Experts emphasize that biological age is not simply a mirror of calendar age. It reflects a dynamic state of bodily processes that influence thinking, mood, and resilience. While aging is inevitable, understanding its markers offers potential avenues for interventions that support mental sharpness and overall brain health across adult life.