New Study Finds Brain Function Continues Improving Well Into the 90s - Video

A sharper mind may not be something we simply lose with age. A new three-year study suggests the brain can continue to strengthen well into later life, and the people who started with the lowest cognitive scores often showed the greatest improvements.

Researchers from The University of Texas at Dallas' Center for BrainHealth tracked 3,966 adults aged 19 to 94 as part of The BrainHealth Project. Participants spent just five to 15 minutes a day completing brief brain-training activities over three years. Their progress was measured using the BrainHealth Index (BHI), a tool that evaluates clarity of thinking, emotional balance and social connectedness by combining around 20 established and research-based assessments.

The findings, published in Scientific Reports, showed measurable improvements in brain health across every age group, including participants in their 80s. According to the researchers, the results challenge the long-held belief that cognitive decline is an unavoidable part of aging.

The biggest gains were seen among individuals who began the study with the lowest Brain Health Index scores. Researchers believe these participants may have had more room for improvement and were possibly more motivated to engage consistently with the program. However, even those who started with higher scores demonstrated measurable progress.

The team is also continuing to investigate how these improvements relate to changes in the brain itself. Around 400 participants have undergone more than 1,200 brain scans, allowing researchers to explore the biological changes associated with better brain health over time.

While the study does not suggest brain training can prevent dementia, it indicates that the brain retains the capacity to adapt and improve throughout adulthood, reinforcing the importance of staying mentally engaged at every stage of life.

REFERENCE: Lori G. Cook, Jeffrey S. Spence, Zhengsi Chang, Erin E. Venza, Aaron Tate, Ian H. Robertson, Mark D’Esposito, Geoffrey S. F. Ling, Jane G. Wigginton, Sandra Bond Chapman. Measuring and increasing the brain health span across adulthood: a public health imperative. Scientific Reports, 2026; DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-51403-3