Lowering Biological Age Linked to Better Brain Health

Preliminary study finds reducing biological age may reduce stroke risk and white matter damage.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 4:51pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A new study found that people with a biological age older than their chronological age had worse scores on cognitive tests and a 41% higher risk of stroke compared to those with a biological age younger than their actual age. Participants who improved the gap between their biological and chronological age over the 6-year study period were 23% less likely to have a stroke and had 13% lower white matter damage in the brain.

Why it matters

The findings suggest that lifestyle factors that help lower biological age, such as managing blood pressure, exercising, and eating a healthy diet, may have protective effects on the brain and reduce the risk of age-related neurological decline and stroke.

The details

The study analyzed data from nearly 259,000 people and measured 18 biomarkers in their blood to determine their biological age at the start and six years later. Participants who had a biological age older than their actual age performed worse on cognitive tests and had a higher stroke risk. Those who were able to lower their biological age over time had a reduced stroke risk and less white matter damage, which is linked to cognitive decline and dementia.

  • The study will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 78th Annual Meeting in April 2026.
  • The study participants were followed for an average of 10 years.

The players

Cyprien Rivier, M.D.

Lead study author and an instructor in the Department of Neurology at Yale School of Medicine.

Dung Trinh, M.D.

Internist at MemorialCare Medical Group and chief medical officer of the Healthy Brain Clinic in Irvine, CA.

Clifford Segil, D.O.

Neurologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“White matter hyperintensities accumulate progressively and are strongly associated with cognitive decline and dementia. So, the benefit we observed extended beyond stroke prevention to the structural integrity of the brain.”

— Cyprien Rivier, M.D., Lead study author and an instructor in the Department of Neurology at Yale School of Medicine

“It's important to emphasize this is an association—this study doesn't prove that changing biological age directly prevents stroke.”

— Dung Trinh, M.D., Internist at MemorialCare Medical Group and chief medical officer of the Healthy Brain Clinic in Irvine, CA

“There is a never a point in your life when lifestyle modifications lose benefit. As we age, these healthy living habit benefits actually increase.”

— Clifford Segil, D.O., Neurologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA

What’s next

More research is needed to determine which specific lifestyle factors have the greatest impact on lowering biological age and improving brain health outcomes.

The takeaway

While this study found an association between lowering biological age and better brain health, it's an important reminder that adopting healthy habits like managing blood pressure, exercising regularly, and eating a nutritious diet can have long-term benefits for cognitive function and reducing the risk of age-related neurological decline.