A groundbreaking 25-year study has shown that childhood cognitive ability significantly impacts intelligence in older age, with nearly half of cognitive variance persisting across decades. The research tracked participants from childhood through their eighties, linking higher childhood intelligence to improved longevity. This study also revealed significant differences in brain aging, suggesting that genetics and early-life factors profoundly shape cognitive health.

A recent study explored whether additional years of education lead to long-term changes in brain structure, especially in protecting against brain aging. Analyzing data from a unique natural experiment involving nearly 30,000 individuals, researchers found no detectable impact on brain structure from an additional year of education. Although education is linked to better cognitive skills and health, it does not appear to alter the brain’s physical structure in the long run.

Recent research shows that senescent, or "zombie," skin cells may accelerate aging throughout the body. When transplanted into a preclinical model, these cells caused senescence to spread to other organs, impairing muscle function and brain health.