Diffusion Tensor Imaging Show Simple Mental Activities Can Maintain Healthy Brain In Old Age

Researchers collected data using Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) to track brain activity and found a link between regular mental activities such as reading, writing, and playing mental games and healthy aging brains.

Diffusion Tensor Imaging is a type of imaging using Magnetic Resonance Imaging that tracks the movement of water molecules in the tissue or blood vessel. It is useful in studying the structural integrity of a tissue or organ. In the brain study, slow movement of water means that the flow is impeded by structures within the organ. A faster flow would mean that there are less structures in the brain.

There are many natural factors that inhibit the health of the brain when it starts to age. Cell senescence (when the brain cells starts to lose the ability to divide), diet, environment, mental and physical stimulation, and regular brain activity are some of these factors.