UT-Dallas Study of 4,000 Adults Challenges Age-Linked Memory Loss
Updated
Updated · KERA News · Jul 31
UT-Dallas Study of 4,000 Adults Challenges Age-Linked Memory Loss
2 articles · Updated · KERA News · Jul 31
Summary
Nearly 4,000 adults ages 19 to 94 in a UT-Dallas study showed the brain can keep improving across life, countering the idea that cognitive decline is an inevitable part of aging.
Similar gains in participants in their 20s and 80s led Center for BrainHealth researchers to argue that brain health is shaped by daily habits and intentional choices, not fixed by age.
Six takeaways from the research include measuring cognitive baseline, avoiding multitasking, taking 3- to 5-minute brain breaks, and reducing chronic stress that can impair learning and memory.
The guidance also urges people to favor real-world thinking over brain games and to maintain social connection, purpose and meaningful activity to support long-term cognitive health.