"Changes start as early as the mid-forties, with the effects becoming more noticeable over time. These changes are often seen as causes for concern-we're getting old, we're losing it!-but they don't have to be. We can harness our experience and wisdom and keep our brains healthy well into later years."
"The brain shrinks, and there's not a lot we can do about it. The atrophy is most pronounced in the frontal lobe and hippocampus, which are the areas involved in cognitive control and making new memories. Blood flow to the brain also decreases, as blood vessels stiffen and become less efficient."
"You still have all that knowledge in your brain, but you're going to be slower at answering trivia questions. You can learn to use your skills and experiences to compensate for age-related changes. These may feel awkward at first, but as they become habitual, you will see they are remarkably effective."
The human brain undergoes predictable age-related changes starting in the mid-forties, including shrinkage particularly in the frontal lobe and hippocampus, decreased blood flow, and changes to white matter that slow communication between brain cells. These physical changes result in slower processing speed and reduced efficiency in cognitive control and memory formation. However, these normal aging processes do not necessitate cognitive decline. Individuals can compensate for age-related changes by developing strategies that leverage accumulated knowledge, experience, and wisdom. While the brain's physical aging cannot be stopped, its functional capacity can be preserved and maintained through deliberate practice and compensatory techniques that become increasingly effective as they become habitual.
Read at Psychology Today
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