Frequently on this blog, we discuss the many nutrients we can seek out and activities we can partake in to provide long-term brain support. However, as beneficial as these behaviors can be, there is yet another factor in cognitive decline that may be beyond our control: genetics.
Recently, scientists from Yale University and the Texas Biomedical Research Institute in San Antonio collaborated on a new study regarding the role of genes in brain aging, and revealed the most conclusive evidence on this correlation to date.
"Identification of genes associated with brain aging should improve our understanding of the biological processes that govern normal age-related decline," said Texas Biomed geneticist John Blangero, Ph.D, in a press release.
One of the most substantial breakthroughs in this study was that the researchers were able to isolate genetic factors from environmental ones (such as lifestyle choices like diet and exercise) to more effectively determine if rates of cognitive decline may somehow be inherited. The study involved 1,129 individuals who ranged from 18 to 83 years of age, with a specific focus on long-term brain health throughout large extended families.
Genes were found to influence the loss of white matter over time, as well as other aspects of neurological decline. That being said, research has also shown that engaging in regular aerobic exercise and consuming nutritional compounds like omega-3 fatty acids can help provide nutrition for the mind as you grow older.
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