"Rising Brain Sizes: A Promising Defense Against Dementia and IQ Decline"

A new study from UC Davis has found that the average human brain size has increased by 6.6% and the surface area by 15% compared to those born in the 1930s, suggesting potential resilience against neurodegenerative diseases like dementia. The research, based on brain MRIs from participants in the Framingham Heart Study, indicates that larger brain structures may reflect improved brain development and health, potentially buffering the effects of age-related brain diseases. The findings also suggest that factors such as lifestyle choices and the decade of birth may impact brain size and long-term brain health, offering hope for improved brain health and a potential decrease in the incidence of dementia.