Ageing brain remains adaptable, but evidence is inconclusive
Recent review studies describe ways in which older brains can retain functions, but call for longer and better experiments.
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The ageing brain does not simply lose all its ability to adapt. Recent review studies describe neuroplasticity and compensation as possible explanations for why some older people retain cognitive functions relatively well.
Neuroplasticity is the nervous system’s ability to adapt connections and patterns of activity in response to experience, training or damage. That ability also remains in later life, but it changes. Age-related decline in memory, processing speed and executive functions can coincide with a different use of brain networks.
A review in Neurological International describes so-called adaptive neuroplasticity as a combination of changes at molecular, cellular and network level. The authors mention synaptic adaptation, neurovascular support and the recruitment of additional brain regions as possible mechanisms of cognitive resilience.
A second review, published in 2026, examines different forms of training, including endurance training, strength training, balance exercises, cognitive stimulation and combined motor and cognitive training. The authors see indications that such activities can influence functional connections in brain networks.
At the same time, the researchers emphasise that the evidence base is limited. There are few direct comparisons between forms of training, studies often do not follow participants for long enough, and measurements using brain scans are not always directly linked to better everyday functioning. For some proposed mechanisms, the support in humans is still indirect.
It is therefore too early to identify one exercise or programme as proven protection against dementia or general mental decline. The reviews describe plausible pathways and patterns in existing research, but are not new clinical trials testing a treatment or prevention programme.
The scientific message is therefore twofold. The brain remains adaptable and ageing does not progress in the same way for everyone, but neuroplasticity is no guarantee that decline can be prevented or reversed. In particular, long-term, well-controlled studies must determine which forms of training genuinely make a difference for which groups.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The text remains within what the reviews actually investigate and avoids claims about curing or guaranteed prevention. The status of the evidence as review research and the methodological limitations have been checked.
- confirmed Neuroplasticity refers to the ability of brain networks to adapt. — Description in the PubMed reviews and the Spektrum summary. source
- confirmed Reviews from 2026 describe possible compensation and adaptation in older adults. — Conclusions of both PubMed articles. source
- confirmed There are few long-term studies and direct comparisons between forms of training. — The review explicitly mentions these methodological gaps. source
- confirmed The reviews do not prove that one exercise programme prevents dementia. — This follows from the research design and limitations described; it is not a claim that the sources rule out a preventive effect. source
Editor's note
The studies used are peer-reviewed review studies, not new intervention trials. They support the existence of the ability to adapt, but do not yet show which training prevents dementia or cognitive decline in which person.Sources
More on this in Dutch media
- NU.nl — „hersenen neuroplasticiteit”
- De Telegraaf — „hersenen neuroplasticiteit”
- AD — „hersenen neuroplasticiteit”