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Your Brain Shrinks: When It Starts & Why
26 May
Summary
- Brain volume reduction begins in the 30s and 40s.
- Shrinkage accelerates after age 70, especially with dementia.
- Frontal cortex and hippocampus are most affected by atrophy.

Brain atrophy, a natural part of aging, begins as early as the 30s and 40s. This shrinkage becomes more pronounced after the age of 70, with individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia experiencing accelerated volume loss.
The reduction in brain volume is attributed to shrinking brain cells and the loss of connections between them. The most significant impacts are observed in the frontal cortex and the hippocampus.
These critical brain regions are essential for memory formation, advanced thinking, planning, and decision-making. Over time, the shrinking of these areas can lead to impairments in cognitive function and memory.