Even if you have longevity in your genes, staying mentally active and educated still matters for keeping your brain sharp. 🧬📚🧩
Published In: Neuropsychology
Date: October 2025
Authors: Roth, et al.
Link to Study: https://doi.org/10.1037/neu0001039
Summary
This study explored how family longevity, education, and mentally stimulating activities work together to support brain health in older adults. Researchers found that even people with a family history of long life benefit from higher education and engaging in brain-challenging activities like reading or puzzles. While long-lived families showed some natural cognitive advantages, mental stimulation and education added unique benefits—especially in memory and executive function.
Key Takeaways
✅ People who engaged more in cognitively stimulating activities had better memory, language, and executive function.
✅ Higher education levels were linked to stronger brain performance.
✅ Family longevity offered some protection, particularly for memory, even when activity levels were lower.
✅ Each factor—genes, education, and mental activity—contributed separately to better cognitive outcomes.
✅ The benefits varied across different areas of thinking, showing that diverse strategies support overall brain health.
Why It Matters for You
Even if you have “good genes,” it’s still important to keep your brain active through lifelong learning and mentally engaging activities. Your daily habits can strengthen memory and thinking skills as you age.
Citation
Roth, N., Cosentino, S., Perls, T. T., Sebastiani, P., & Andersen, S. L. (2025). Pathway analysis of cognitive resilience factors and cognitive function in the Long Life Family Study (LLFS). Neuropsychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/neu0001039