(Photo: Robina Weermeijer/Unsplash)
Recent research published in JAMA Neurology reveals a noteworthy trend: human brain size is increasing. This finding may offer insights into the observed reduction in dementia incidence.
The study, analyzing neuroimaging data from the Framingham Heart Study, discovered significant increases in various brain metrics among individuals born in the 1970s compared to those born in the 1930s. These metrics include intracranial volume, cortical gray matter, white matter, hippocampal volume, and cortical surface area.
In an interview with Medscape, researcher Charles DeCarli suggested that these increases could create a greater ‘reserve’ against aging-related diseases, potentially lowering the overall risk of dementia.
The study reported a 6.6% increase in intracranial volume, 7.7% in white matter, and 14.9% in cortical surface area. While cortical thickness showed a slight reduction, the increase in cortical surface area may signify an evolutionary mechanism aimed at enhancing neuronal efficiency.
For further insights, the full article titled “Trends in Intracranial and Cerebral Volumes of Framingham Heart Study Participants Born 1930 to 1970” is available on Medscape.
The full article can be consulted here.
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