Aging has always been a major concern for humanity, but modern advancements now allow people to preserve their physical youth much longer. However, maintaining brain health and cognitive function is a much bigger challenge. Scientists have long sought a universal method to prevent dementia and cognitive decline in old age. And now, they may have found the answer.
A research team from the Rutgers Research Center conducted a large-scale experiment to identify factors that influence cognitive longevity. They analyzed brain scans of 19,964 women and 17,607 men from the United Kingdom, looking for common traits among those whose cognitive abilities declined at a slower rate.
The results were unexpected: parenthood significantly reduces the risk of cognitive decline. Surprisingly, the positive effect was observed in both mothers and fathers. According to researchers, the key factor was not pregnancy or childbirth, but rather the process of raising children. Caring for children keeps the brain engaged, requiring constant problem-solving, adaptability, and high emotional involvement.
Moreover, the study found that the more children in a family, the greater the parents’ chances of maintaining mental sharpness into old age. Lead researcher and professor of psychiatry Avram Holmes commented:
“We observe a widespread pattern of functional changes in the brain, where a greater number of children being raised by parents is associated with improved functional connectivity.”
This suggests that parenting is not only a fundamental social responsibility but also a powerful mechanism for preserving brain health. This discovery could revolutionize approaches to preventing dementia and age-related cognitive decline.