Latest news with #brain health
The Independent
a day ago
- Health
- The Independent
The unexpected nutrient scientists say could cut cognitive issues in old age
Adults who consume more dietary copper tend to perform better on cognitive tests, including memory, attention and language, research has found. In a study of more than 2,400 Americans aged 60 and above, those eating roughly 1.4mg of copper a day scored higher on a number of cognitive assessments than those consuming less than 0.8mg. Copper, though needed in only trace amounts, plays a key role in brain health, helping produce energy in nerve cells, supporting the creation of key neurotransmitters, and bolstering the body's natural antioxidant defences. Shellfish, grains, beans and nuts are good sources of copper, but experts say a balanced diet should provide adequate amounts. Scientists continue to debate, however, whether copper's effects on the ageing brain are overall protective or harmful, as large amounts can cause gastrointestinal issues. The team for this latest research into the benefits of copper asked participants to recall everything they ate on two separate days. They then averaged those figures to estimate each person's daily copper intake. Cognitive abilities were tested with four well-established tasks, including quick symbol-matching and immediate and delayed word-recall, plus an overall 'global' score combining all measures. The results revealed a clear pattern: cognitive performance improved as copper intake rose, peaking at around 1.2 to 1.6 mg per day, depending on the test. Above those levels, benefits levelled off, and scores showed no further gains. Those in the top quarter of copper consumers outscored the lowest quarter by roughly four symbols on the matching test and recalled about half a word more after a delay. People who had previously suffered a stroke appeared to gain even more benefit: high copper consumers in this group had an especially marked boost in their overall cognitive score. While the researchers say this is not enough evidence to suggest that copper intake improves cognitive function, they have argued the link is 'biologically plausible'. 'Dietary copper is crucial for brain health and may confer protective effects on cognitive function through its involvement in antioxidant defence, neurotransmitter synthesis, and energy metabolism,' the report states.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
The hobby that could help protect your brain against ageing
New research suggests that playing a musical instrument could help protect the brain against age-related decline. A study found that older adults with long-term musical training performed better at understanding speech in noisy environments and exhibited brain connectivity patterns similar to those of younger individuals. Researchers used functional MRI scans to compare brain activity in older musicians, older non-musicians, and young non-musicians, observing how they identified syllables masked by background noise. The findings support the 'Hold-Back Upregulation' hypothesis, indicating that musical experience builds cognitive reserve, enabling the brain to maintain more 'youth-like' functional features rather than simply compensating for decline. The study adds to growing evidence that positive lifestyle choices, such as musical training, can help the brain cope better with ageing, suggesting it is never too late to take up such a hobby.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Playing an instrument may help protect brain against ageing, study finds
Playing a musical instrument could help protect the brain against age-related decline, new research has suggested. Older adults with long-term musical training performed better at understanding speech in noisy environments and showed brain connectivity patterns closer to younger people, according to a study published in the journal PLOS Biology. Researchers from Baycrest Academy for Research and Education in Canada and the Chinese Academy of Sciences used functional MRI scans to compare brain activity in 25 older musicians, 25 older non-musicians and 24 young non-musicians. The participants were asked to identify syllables masked by background noise, a task that typically becomes harder with age. While older non-musicians showed the usual age-related increase in neural activity and connectivity - a sign that the brain is working harder to compensate for decline - older musicians maintained a more 'youth-like' pattern. The strength of connections in certain brain networks also correlated with better performance on the speech-in-noise task, the study found. Older adults with long-term musical training performed better at understanding speech in noisy environments and showed brain connectivity patterns closer to younger people (Getty Images) The findings support what the researchers call the 'Hold-Back Upregulation' hypothesis. This is when the cognitive reserve built through musical training helps the brain hold onto its younger functional features, instead of simply compensating for loss. Dr Yi Du, co-author of the study, said: 'Just like a well-tuned instrument doesn't need to be played louder to be heard, the brains of older musicians stay finely tuned thanks to years of training. 'Our study shows that this musical experience builds cognitive reserve, helping their brains avoid the usual age-related overexertion when trying to understand speech in noisy places.' The authors said that although the study cannot prove cause and effect, it adds to growing evidence that positive lifestyle choices, such as musical training, higher education and bilingualism, can help the brain cope better with ageing. Dr Lei Zhang, another co-author, added: 'A positive lifestyle helps older adults cope better with cognitive ageing, and it is never too late to take up, and stick with, a rewarding hobby such as learning an instrument.' The scientists are now planning to explore whether other activities, such as exercise and multilingualism, could offer similar benefits.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Playing an instrument may help protect brain against ageing, study finds
Playing a musical instrument could help protect the brain against age-related decline, new research has suggested. Older adults with long-term musical training performed better at understanding speech in noisy environments and showed brain connectivity patterns closer to younger people, according to a study published in the journal PLOS Biology. brain activity in 25 older musicians, 25 older non-musicians and 24 young non-musicians. The participants were asked to identify syllables masked by background noise, a task that typically becomes harder with age. While older non-musicians showed the usual age-related increase in neural activity and connectivity - a sign that the brain is working harder to compensate for decline - older musicians maintained a more 'youth-like' pattern. The strength of connections in certain brain networks also correlated with better performance on the speech-in-noise task, the study found. The findings support what the researchers call the 'Hold-Back Upregulation' hypothesis. This is when the cognitive reserve built through musical training helps the brain hold onto its younger functional features, instead of simply compensating for loss. Dr Yi Du, co-author of the study, said: 'Just like a well-tuned instrument doesn't need to be played louder to be heard, the brains of older musicians stay finely tuned thanks to years of training. 'Our study shows that this musical experience builds cognitive reserve, helping their brains avoid the usual age-related overexertion when trying to understand speech in noisy places.' The authors said that although the study cannot prove cause and effect, it adds to growing evidence that positive lifestyle choices, such as musical training, higher education and bilingualism, can help the brain cope better with ageing. Dr Lei Zhang, another co-author, added: 'A positive lifestyle helps older adults cope better with cognitive ageing, and it is never too late to take up, and stick with, a rewarding hobby such as learning an instrument.' The scientists are now planning to explore whether other activities, such as exercise and multilingualism, could offer similar benefits.
