Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 26: A new study by researchers at the University of Florida suggests that adopting healthy lifestyle habits can slow down brain aging, helping people stay mentally younger than their chronological age. The study, published in Brain Communications, emphasizes that the way we live, cope with stress, and maintain our health can have a measurable impact on brain aging, even for those with chronic pain.

The research followed 128 middle-aged and older adults for two years, most of whom had chronic musculoskeletal pain or were at risk of knee osteoarthritis. Using MRI scans, researchers estimated each participant’s “brain age” and compared it to their actual age, revealing a brain age gap as a measure of overall brain health.

The study found that stress factors such as chronic pain, low income, and less education were linked with older-looking brains. On the other hand, protective factors like restorative sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress, avoiding tobacco, optimism, and having supportive relationships were associated with younger, healthier brains. Participants with the most protective factors had brains up to eight years younger than their chronological age and experienced slower brain aging over the two-year period.

“Health-promoting behaviors are not only linked to lower pain and better physical functioning, they also appear to bolster brain health in an additive fashion,” said Dr. Kimberly Sibille, associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at UF and senior author of the report.

Aging of the brain increases vulnerability to memory loss, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. The study highlights that looking at the “brain age gap”—the difference between chronological age and brain age via MRI—provides a comprehensive snapshot of brain health, reflecting the combined effects of stress, pain, and life experiences.

Even though the study focused on people with chronic pain, its findings suggest that reducing stress, maintaining social connections, and ensuring quality sleep can slow brain aging in the wider population. “Literally for every additional healthy promoting factor, there is some evidence of neurobiological benefit. Lifestyle is medicine,” Sibille added.