A new study from Germany shows that the human brain may age more gently than we thought—especially in the area responsible for touch.
Researchers from the DZNE, the University of Magdeburg, and the University of Tübingen discovered that the outer layer of the brain, called the cerebral cortex, doesn’t age all at once.
Instead, different parts age in different ways. Some parts even stay the same or get stronger with time, especially if they’re used often.
This area of the brain, called the primary somatosensory cortex, helps us feel things like texture, pressure, and vibration. It’s what lets you feel the keys on a keyboard or the handle of a cup. It’s located along the top of the head, stretching toward both ears. This region is essential for sensing the world around us and guiding our movements.
Using a powerful MRI scanner with a 7-Tesla magnetic field, the researchers studied the brains of 60 adults aged 21 to 80. These high-resolution scans allowed them to see very thin layers inside the cortex, each with its own job.
Surprisingly, they found that not all layers aged the same. Some stayed just as thick or even became thicker in older adults, especially the ones involved in directly sensing touch. The deeper layers, which help the brain fine-tune signals depending on attention and focus, were the ones that showed more decline with age.
Why does this happen? The researchers believe it’s a case of “use it or lose it.” The top and middle layers of the cortex are always busy because we constantly interact with the world—grabbing, walking, typing.
These layers are stimulated all the time, so they stay active and healthy. But the deeper layers, which help us tune out things we don’t need to feel (like forgetting you’re wearing a ring), may not be used as much as we get older. As a result, they can lose strength.
In one fascinating case, a man who had used only one arm all his life showed a thinner middle layer in the part of his brain responsible for the missing arm. This supports the idea that regular use helps preserve brain structure.
The study also found that while the deeper layers get thinner, their content of myelin—a substance that helps send signals between brain cells—actually increased. This could be the brain’s way of trying to make up for the loss by improving signal quality.
This same effect was also seen in mice, suggesting that our brains may have built-in ways to protect and sharpen function as we age. However, these backup systems may weaken in very old age.
Overall, the findings show that aging in the brain is not all bad news. It’s complex and depends on how much we use certain parts.
Regular activity and sensory experiences can help keep parts of our brain strong, even as we grow older. Staying mentally and physically active may be one of the best ways to protect our brain health and slow down the effects of aging.
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The study is published in Nature Neuroscience.
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