The results showed a significant link between the frequency of mental activity and diffusion anisotropy values: more mental activity was linked to higher values."Keeping the brain occupied late in life has positive outcomes," says Arfanakis, after explaining what they found:
"Several areas throughout the brain, including regions quite important to cognition, showed higher microstructural integrity with more frequent cognitive activity in late life."
Arfanakis says diffusion anisotropy values start falling at around age 30.
"Higher diffusion anisotropy in elderly patients who engage in frequent cognitive activity suggests that these people have brain properties similar to those of younger individuals," he adds.