Scientists have identified brain layers that become stronger with age

Some areas of the human cerebral cortex increase in thickness with age, which indicates the preservation of functionality and neuroplasticity. This was reported on August 12 by the Science Daily portal with reference to a study by specialists from the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), the University of Magdeburg and the Herti Institute for Clinical Brain Research at the University of Tübingen.

The scientists performed a high-precision magnetic resonance scan of the primary somatosensory cortex, an area responsible for the perception of tactile signals. The study involved about 60 people between the ages of 21 and 80. According to Professor of neuroscience Esther Kuhn, the results showed that despite the general thinning of the cortex with age, some of its layers remain unchanged or thicken. Scientists suggest that this is due to the constant load and activity of these zones.

The primary somatosensory cortex consists of several layers, each with its own architecture and functions. The middle layer serves as a "gateway" for tactile stimuli, their further processing takes place in the upper ones, and the lower ones are responsible for signal modulation depending on the context. The study showed that it is the deep layers that are more likely to undergo age-related degeneration, but at the same time their myelin content increases. This process, as Kuehn explained, is associated with an increase in the number of certain neurons capable of "sharpening" the nerve signal and partially compensating for the decrease in function.

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Observations have also revealed that repetitive skills, such as typing, can be maintained at a high level in older people, whereas in conditions of interfering factors such as a noisy environment, performing such tasks becomes more difficult. Scientists attribute this to a deterioration in the modulation of sensory stimuli due to age-related changes in the deep layers of the cortex.

The authors of the study believe that stimulating certain areas of the brain can help maintain its functions in adulthood.

"Our findings are consistent with the general idea that we can do something good for our brain with appropriate stimulation. I think it's an optimistic idea that we can influence our aging process to a certain extent," Kuhn said.

On August 7, the Medical Xpress portal reported that the nutrients contained in regular foods can significantly slow down cognitive decline in the elderly. The study found that those whose diets regularly included foods rich in copper, such as nuts, shellfish, and dark chocolate, had higher cognitive function scores.