The population is aging, and more people are living for many years with health problems that affect everyday life.
Chronic pain is among the most widespread conditions and can make everyday activities such as sleep, movement, and social interaction difficult.
At the same time, questions about mental health and cognitive decline are playing an increasingly prominent role in public debate.
Everyday life and brain function
Research has long shown that the brain changes with age. Certain areas shrink, and signals between nerve cells slow down.
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These changes are often associated with reduced memory and concentration.
According to U.S. health data, around one in four adults lives with chronic pain, which is often linked to poor sleep and increased stress, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report.
This raises the question of whether everyday strains also affect the brain’s biological age, and whether certain factors can reduce this effect.
Research provides new answers
Researchers from the University of Florida examined this issue in a study published in Brain Communications.
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More than 100 people aged between 45 and 85 were followed over a two-year period.
Participants had their so-called brain age measured using MRI scans, which show how old the brain appears structurally.
At the same time, lifestyle factors such as sleep, smoking, body weight, stress levels, and social relationships were assessed.
What did the scans show?
The results suggest that people with healthy habits often had a brain that appeared younger than their actual age.
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The study showed that some people with chronic pain even had a brain that appeared younger than their chronological age, especially if they also maintained healthy lifestyle habits.
The study underscores that prevention is not only about treatment, but also about the conditions that support a healthy lifestyle.
Sources: Medical News Today, Brain Communications, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.