Science Weekly
Use it or lose it: how to sharpen your brain as you age
Mar 13, 2025
Ludger Wößmann, a professor of economics at the University of Munich, challenges the stereotype of inevitable cognitive decline with age. He discusses groundbreaking research revealing that maintaining mental sharpness is possible through continuous skill engagement. Key insights highlight the significance of mental exercises, social interactions, and physical fitness. Wößmann also emphasizes how literacy and numeracy skills can be preserved with active practice, especially for different occupational groups, debunking myths surrounding aging and cognition.
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Quick takeaways
- Recent research indicates that cognitive skills can improve into the 40s, challenging the belief that they decline with age.
- Regular engagement in reading and numeracy tasks is essential for maintaining cognitive abilities, especially for older adults.
Deep dives
Redefining Cognitive Decline
Research challenges the previously held belief that cognitive skills decline after age 30, instead showing that skills can actually increase into the 40s. This notion stems from past studies comparing different age groups, which led to the assumption that older individuals perform worse on tests of numeracy and literacy. New findings based on longitudinal data suggest this pattern may not apply universally, particularly as individual experiences and skill usage come into play. This is particularly significant given the rise in aging populations and the importance of maintaining cognitive skills for both personal and economic prosperity.
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