Study reveals habits that could lower brain age by eight years

Adopting a few healthy habits could reduce brain age by up to eight years, new research suggests.

Scientists at the University of Florida found that optimism, good deep sleep, stress control and strong social support were linked to a younger-looking brain on scans.

The study tracked 128 adults in midlife and older age from four continents over two years.

Nearly 70 per cent were women, and most lived with chronic pain related to, or at risk of, knee osteoarthritis.

Researchers at the University of Florida used advanced MRI brain scans and machine learning to estimate each participant’s brain age, then compared it with their actual age.

Those reporting the healthiest mix of psychological and lifestyle factors had brains that appeared up to eight years younger.

By contrast, several hardships were linked to older-looking brains, including chronic pain, lower income, lower education and social disadvantage.

The team reported that while the impact of hardship on brain ageing weakened over time, the benefits of positive lifestyle factors were stronger and more persistent.

Other behaviours linked to healthier brain ageing included not smoking and keeping a healthy body weight.

Kimberly Sibille, an associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Florida, who led the research, said: “The message is consistent across our studies. Health-promoting behaviours are not only associated with lower pain and better physical functioning.

“They appear to actually bolster health in an additive fashion at a meaningful level.”

The study adds to evidence that mental wellbeing and lifestyle choices matter for brain health, even for people living with chronic pain or long-term conditions.

The findings come as separate research suggests certain personality traits may influence longevity.

In a large analysis led by researchers at the University of Limerick, scientists examined data from more than half a million people, covering nearly six million person-years.

During the study period, 43,851 participants died.

The team looked at five major personality traits: neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness and conscientiousness, and related them to risk of death.

People with higher neuroticism, marked by anxiety and emotional instability, had a three per cent higher risk of earlier death.

Higher conscientiousness, associated with being organised, disciplined and dependable, was linked to a ten per cent lower risk.

Extraversion, reflecting sociability and engagement with others, was linked to a three per cent lower risk, with the effect strongest in the US and Australia.

No clear link was found for openness or agreeableness.

Dr Máire McGeehan, an assistant professor at the University of Limerick who led the study, said: “Our work shows that how we think, feel and behave is not only linked to life satisfaction and social relationships, but also to how long we live.”

“Personality is a critical driver of health and longevity, with effects similar in size to commonly recognised public health factors such as socio-economic status.”

The research was conducted in collaboration with Florida State University, West Virginia University and Northwestern University.

Dr Páraic S Ó Súilleabháin, a senior author on the study, said the findings would help shape future research into how psychological traits influence health across the lifespan.