The brain may be far less fixed than commonly believed. A large American study published in the journal Scientific Reports shows that brain health can improve at any age, including among people in their 80s or 90s, provided a regular, targeted practice is adopted. Enough to challenge the common notion that cognitive decline is an inevitable consequence of aging.
A three-year study of nearly 4,000 adults
Led by the Center for BrainHealth at the University of Texas at Dallas, this research followed 3,966 adults aged 19 to 94 for three full years. Participants were assessed using the BrainHealth Index, a tool that combines cognitive tasks, sleep quality and psychological well-being to create an overall profile of brain health.
Each day, they spent between five and fifteen minutes on exercises targeting so-called “higher” cognitive functions: strategic thinking, reasoning and the ability to integrate complex information, rather than simple classic memory exercises.
Regularity matters more than age
Main finding of the study: it is the consistency of practice, and not age, level of education or initial cognitive score, that best predicts the improvements achieved. The researchers even note that young adults sometimes improved as much as participants in their 70s or 80s, and that people with the lowest initial scores recorded the largest gains.
- 3,966 participants followed for 3 years, aged 19 to 94
- 5 to 15 minutes of targeted exercises per day
- Regularity, the most predictive factor of improvements, ahead of age and level of education
- Gains observed at all ages, including after 1,000 days of follow-up
This approach differs from traditional brain-training programs focused on pure memory: it emphasizes skills transferable to everyday life, useful both for work and for daily autonomy, an issue that is also found in discussions around retirement and aging well.
A message of hope for mental health
For the authors, this work illustrates a shift in perspective on brain aging: it would no longer be just about slowing a decline seen as inevitable, but about truly making progress, regardless of the starting point. A perspective that aligns with growing concerns around health and well-being throughout life, two topics on which the scientific literature has proliferated in recent years.
Frequently asked questions
Who conducted this study on brain health?
The study was conducted by the Center for BrainHealth at the University of Texas at Dallas, on a sample of 3,966 adults aged 19 to 94, followed for three years.
How long per day do you need to train to make progress?
Participants spent between 5 and 15 minutes per day on exercises targeting reasoning and strategic thinking, a duration considered sufficient to observe measurable improvements.
Is age a barrier to cognitive improvement?
No: according to the study, the regularity of practice is the most decisive factor, far more than age, level of education or initial cognitive score.
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