Health and Me

Ishita Srivastava

High Brain Age May Increase Dementia Risk, Study Shows

People with a brain age that exceeds their actual age may be at a higher risk of developing <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/dementia">dementia</a>, according to a new JAMA Open study.

Brain aging is the natural, progressive process of structural and chemical changes in the brain over time, resulting in typical age-related cognitive decline, such as slower processing speeds, reduced brain volume (atrophy) and memory lapses.

A machine-learning study by University of California San Francisco and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center that was published in March 2026 has now found that a higher brain age for every 10-year gap with the actual age increased dementia risk by nearly 40 percent.

Senior author Yue Leng, MBBS, PhD, associate professor of psychiatry at the UCSF School of Medicine said: "Brain age is calculated from sleep brain waves. We know that brain activity during sleep provides a measurable window into how well the brain is aging."

 Leng noted that earlier studies have found treating sleep disorders can change sleep-related brain-wave patterns.

"Better body management, such as lowering body mass index and increasing exercise to reduce the likelihood of apnea, may have an impact. But there's no magic pill to improve brain health.," first author Haoqi Sun, PhD, assistant professor of neurology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center also added.

The researchers noted that the results suggest that improving sleep health could influence brain aging.

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a significant decline in mental function that is serious enough to affect everyday life. It commonly impacts memory, thinking, and reasoning skills.

Dementia itself is not a single disease but a collection of symptoms caused by underlying conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia.

Common signs include memory problems, confusion, difficulty finding words, changes in mood or behaviour and trouble completing familiar tasks.

These symptoms usually worsen over time and are not considered a normal part of ageing. Although there is no cure, treatment options can help manage symptoms, and early diagnosis plays an important role in care planning.

<h2>Alzheimer’s Disease: The Leading Cause of Dementia</h2>

Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common forms of dementia and mostly affects adults over the age of 65.

About 8.8 million Indians aged 60 and above are estimated to be living with Alzheimer's disease. Over seven million people in the US 65 and older live with the condition and over 100,00 die from it annually.

Alzheimer's disease is believed to be caused by the development of toxic amyloid and beta proteins in the brain, which can accumulate in the brain and damage cells responsible for memory.

Amyloid protein molecules stick together in brain cells, forming clumps called plaques. At the same time, tau proteins twist together in fiber-like strands called tangles. The plaques and tangles block the brain's neurons from sending electrical and chemical signals back and forth.

Over time, this disruption causes permanent damage in the brain that leads to Alzheimer's disease and dementia, causing patients to lose their ability to speak, care for themselves or even respond to the world around them.

While there is no clear cause of Alzheimer's disease, experts believe it can develop due to genetic mutations and lifestyle choices, such as physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and social isolation.

Early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include forgetting recent events or conversations. Over time, Alzheimer's disease leads to serious memory loss and affects a person's ability to do everyday tasks.

There is no cure for this progressive brain disorder and in advanced stages, loss of brain function can cause dehydration, poor nutrition or infection. These complications can result in death.

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People with a brain age that exceeds their actual age may be at a higher risk of developing dementia, according to a new JAMA Open study. Brain aging is the natural, progressive process of structural and chemical changes in the brain over time, resulting in typical age-related cognitive decline, such as slower processing speeds, reduced brain volume (atrophy) and memory lapses. A machine-learning study by University of California San Francisco and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center that was published in March 2026 has now found that a higher brain age for every 10-year gap with the actual age increased dementia risk by nearly 40 percent. Senior author Yue Leng, MBBS, PhD, associate professor of psychiatry at the UCSF School of Medicine said: "Brain age is calculated from sleep brain waves. We know that brain activity during sleep provides a measurable window into how well the brain is aging."  Leng noted that earlier studies have found treating sleep disorders can change sleep-related brain-wave patterns. "Better body management, such as lowering body mass index and increasing exercise to reduce the likelihood of apnea, may have an impact. But there's no magic pill to improve brain health.," first author Haoqi Sun, PhD, assistant professor of neurology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center also added.The researchers noted that the results suggest that improving sleep health could influence brain aging.What Is Dementia?Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a significant decline in mental function that is serious enough to affect everyday life. It commonly impacts memory, thinking, and reasoning skills.Dementia itself is not a single disease but a collection of symptoms caused by underlying conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia.Common signs include memory problems, confusion, difficulty finding words, changes in mood or behaviour and trouble completing familiar tasks.These symptoms usually worsen over time and are not considered a normal part of ageing. Although there is no cure, treatment options can help manage symptoms, and early diagnosis plays an important role in care planning.Alzheimer’s Disease: The Leading Cause of DementiaAlzheimer's disease is one of the most common forms of dementia and mostly affects adults over the age of 65.About 8.8 million Indians aged 60 and above are estimated to be living with Alzheimer's disease. Over seven million people in the US 65 and older live with the condition and over 100,00 die from it annually.Alzheimer's disease is believed to be caused by the development of toxic amyloid and beta proteins in the brain, which can accumulate in the brain and damage cells responsible for memory.Amyloid protein molecules stick together in brain cells, forming clumps called plaques. At the same time, tau proteins twist together in fiber-like strands called tangles. The plaques and tangles block the brain's neurons from sending electrical and chemical signals back and forth.Over time, this disruption causes permanent damage in the brain that leads to Alzheimer's disease and dementia, causing patients to lose their ability to speak, care for themselves or even respond to the world around them.While there is no clear cause of Alzheimer's disease, experts believe it can develop due to genetic mutations and lifestyle choices, such as physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and social isolation.Early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include forgetting recent events or conversations. Over time, Alzheimer's disease leads to serious memory loss and affects a person's ability to do everyday tasks.There is no cure for this progressive brain disorder and in advanced stages, loss of brain function can cause dehydration, poor nutrition or infection. These complications can result in death.