Helping others linked to younger-looking adult brains, even after accounting for health and lifestyle
Population surveys and research studies suggest that meaningful social connections are strong predictors of health and longevity. In other words, a sense of belonging to a social group and strong social bonds appear to be linked with better health and a longer lifespan.
A recent study from Georgetown University, Emory University and the University of Wisconsin–Madison suggests that spending more time helping and supporting others may be associated with a younger-looking brain, even after accounting for various factors such as overall health, lifestyle, social circumstances and received support.
The researchers analyzed data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study, which gathered health and well-being information from thousands of U.S. adults. By estimating each participant's brain age relative to their actual age using a measure called BrainAGE, the researchers found that those who reported providing more instrumental and emotional support exhibited lower BrainAGE values.
This link remained significant even after controlling for various potential confounding factors, indicating that helping others may have a neuroprotective effect on brain health in mid- to late adulthood. However, the study does not establish causation, and further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and potential implications for interventions aimed at promoting healthy aging.
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