Which gender’s brain ages faster?

Researchers at the University of Oslo in Norway have found that men’s brains tend to age slightly earlier than women’s. The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

The researchers analyzed 12,638 MRI scans from 4,726 healthy participants aged 17 to 95. Each participant underwent at least two scans, spaced approximately three years apart, allowing the scientists to track brain changes over time.

The study measured the thickness and surface area of the cerebral cortex, as well as the volume of white and gray matter. The results showed that men experienced slightly faster reductions in brain volume and cortical thinning, particularly in regions associated with vision and memory. In women, age-related changes were observed only in a small part of the occipital lobe. However, the differences were very minor—for example, cortical thinning occurred at an average rate differing by only about 0.1 percent per year.

The team also examined the influence of age and life expectancy on the results. After accounting for women’s generally longer lifespan, the differences between genders were almost negligible. This suggests that natural brain aging is not the reason Alzheimer’s disease is more common in women.

“We found no evidence that women’s brains deteriorate faster than men’s. The higher prevalence of dementia in women is likely related to lifespan, genetics, or diagnostic factors,” said lead author Anne Rønnedal.

The researchers plan to study how structural brain changes affect memory in the future. It is possible that similar changes in men and women may have different impacts on cognitive function.

Previously, scientists at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil reported that American basil extract may slow brain aging and reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.

                                                           Mohichera Qadamova