#22: Protecting Your Brain For Life

In 1986 a multi-decade study by David Snowdon began into 678 Roman Catholic nuns. Through studying these ladies in their later years, the aim was to uncover some of the secrets of aging. What factors might protect a nun from cognitive, neurological and physical decline? 

Which activities, academics, past experiences or dispositions might prove to be helpful? The results were fascinating and have shifted our view of the brain – providing implications for all of us, even if in our 20s or 30s.

Each included nun was at least 75 years old, and they were a brilliantly stable study group. They lived in similar environments, abstained from alcohol and drugs, and generally could be found in the same place year after year - a study into aging rock stars, might have been less successful!

They were tested yearly but one piece of additional evidence changed everything. On entering the convent in their early 20s the nuns had filled in an autobiographical statement. 

Amazingly, on analysis those nuns with written statements that had greater linguistic complexity and ideas at 22 years old, had far lower levels of Alzheimer’s disease in later years. The way the brains were being used 60 years earlier was somehow protecting nuns into old age.

Strangely though, in many of these nuns with no outward signs of cognitive decline, upon dissection of their brains after death, many still had the tell-tale physical signs of Alzheimer’s. What was going on? 

Essentially, many of the nuns who were keeping their brains active through creative pursuits, curiosity and life-long learning were able to bypass the diseased areas of the brain. As neuroscientist David Eagleman explains, they were building cognitive reserve – the ability to find new ways to do old tasks. In essence they were creating insurance for the brain.

Other factors were also shown to be important: physical exercise every day, increasing folates in your diet and avoiding strokes through cardiovascular health were all crucial for staving off Alzheimer’s. However, the concept of staying sharp and lucid throughout life, despite a deteriorating physical brain, purely by keeping your brain active was revolutionary.

WISDOM 💎

The precursors of Alzheimer’s and other dementia’s often start in our younger years, several decades before any symptoms.

The time to start protecting your brain is now. Just as with financial investing - brain and physical health compounds over many years.

Tip 1 - A SMART PLAY ✅

Build cognitive reserve, by keeping your mind active…. Stay curious, be creative, exercise your brain with puzzles and games, read and write and commit to being a life-long learner.

Tip 2 - AVOID 🚩

Putting it off till later, Whether your young or old, it's a great time to keep your brain active. Also try to limit alcohol or substances, smoking, poor nutrition, poor sleep and chronic stressors.

Tip 3 - ACTION 💪

How can you keep your brain active this week? What creative pursuits might you dive into? Have some fun with it.

P.S. There was another incredible finding for our lives from the Nun Study and we shall delve into that next week!

P.S.S For a short video explaining the Nun Study check out neuroscientist David Eagleman's clip.