Well + Good: Aging isn't all bad for the brain
UC expert details how 'crystallized intelligence' can improve certain brain functions over time
While many brain functions tend to decline as we age, this is not necessarily true of all cognitive processes.
The University of Cincinnati's Rhonna Shatz, DO, adjunct associate professor, division director for behavioral neurology and Bob and Sandy Heimann Endowed Chair in research and education in Alzheimer's disease in the Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine and a UC Health physician, said certain information in the brain can become resistant to degradation over time because of its interconnectivity.
This process, known as "crystallized intelligence," can positively affect the brain's executive inhibition function, or the ability to control attention in order to focus on what's important.
“It is possible that executive inhibition improves with age because of high interconnectivity with regions frequently activated in executive function inhibition," Shatz told Well + Good. "Exposure to a wide variety of new and different topics, experiences, and activities has evidence for building cognitive reserve.”
Related Stories
Media coverage and word of mouth extends DAAP art exhibit to...
April 19, 2024
Due to popular draw, the art exhibit "Rediscovering Catharina van Hemessen’s Scourging of Christ: Women Artists, Patrons, and Rulers in Renaissance Europe" has been extended at the DAAP Library through April 30.
Alabama.com: How a new self-test for HPV could be a game changer
April 19, 2024
The University of Cincinnati's Leeya Pinder was featured in an Alabama.com/Reckon article about how self-testing for HPV could make preventative care more accessible to those facing the most barriers.
UC's CECH recognizes students, faculty and staff for outstanding...
April 19, 2024
In the early weeks of April 2024, UC's College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology recognized and celebrated students, faculty and staff achievements annual Outstanding Student Awards and All College Awards ceremony, the latter of which awarded both Faculty and Staff Awards and the college's Golden Apple Awards.