The cerebellum may help aging brains stay sharper

Long viewed mainly as a movement center, the cerebellum may play a critical role in cognitive resilience, with new MRI evidence linking its structure to sharper thinking in later life.

Study: Cerebellar aging is spatially heterogeneous and supports cognitive resilience in later life. Image Credit: MattL_Images / Shutterstock

A recent study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience suggests that the cerebellum may contribute to cognitive reserve and may help support cognitive performance in aging populations.

Analyzing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans from approximately 47,000 individuals, researchers found that larger cerebellar volumes were associated with better cognitive performance. Regions at the back of the cerebellum with greater gray matter were particularly associated with better cognitive function.