As stated by Dr. Matthew Bambling from the School of Psychology and Counselling, University of Queensland, Australia, the new study does not confirm the earlier point of view that over the years the brain mass shrinks by up to 12% in the elderly people.
Dr. Bambling, who led the research, says that the process of neurogenesis, which is normally observed in the human brain during childhood and adolescence, may continue during adulthood and to a ripe old age.
The scientists found that the human brain develops new neural synapses when a person learns new things or when he changes his way of thinking after psychological treatment. The same thing happens when someone is in going through antidepressant treatment.
Having examined the brains of elderly patients before and after therapeutic psychological treatment, the researchers found that their brains had begun to form new neurons, which also could have been the reason of change in the behavior of patients.
Dr. Bambling said that the process of neurogenesis stops when a person suffers from depression, and the objective of medication treatment is to restart this process.
Finally, the scientists believe that if elderly people constantly learn new things and train their brain, it is possible to keep it healthy and active until a ripe old age.
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