Our brains may be more resilient than we think. New research from the DZNE – German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases – has found that some areas of the human brain don’t just resist aging, they actually improve over time. The study reveals that while parts of the cerebral cortex thin with age, other layers remain stable or even grow thicker, showing unexpected adaptability.
The discovery challenges long-held assumptions about brain aging and suggests that our neural networks might preserve – or even enhance – certain abilities through life. By focusing on the brain’s touch-processing region, researchers uncovered evidence of neuroplasticity that continues into older age, supporting the idea that the human brain remains capable of change and compensation well into later years.
The brain region that defies aging
Using ultra–high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a powerful seven-Tesla scanner, scientists from DZNE, the University of Magdeburg, and the University of Tübingen examined the primary somatosensory cortex — the part of the brain responsible for processing tactile sensations. This narrow strip of tissue, located along the top of the head, allows us to feel textures, pressure, and movement, essential for actions like gripping a key or walking.
The team studied around 60 participants between the ages of 21 and 80, mapping their brain structures in unprecedented detail. Their scans revealed that, while the cortex generally becomes thinner with age, some of its ultra-fine layers do not follow this trend. Instead, certain middle and upper layers stayed stable or even thickened, hinting at ongoing neural activity and adaptability.
Layers that adapt and preserve function
Each cortical layer has its own architecture and function. The middle layer, often considered the “gateway” for touch signals, showed surprising resilience. Above it, layers involved in processing sensory integration — such as coordinating finger movements — also resisted decline. Researchers believe this persistence stems from constant use: since these layers are frequently engaged by daily tactile experiences, they stay active and strong.
The deeper cortical layers, however, told a different story. They were thinner in older adults, suggesting that they are more vulnerable to the effects of aging. These regions are responsible for modulating sensory signals — amplifying or reducing them depending on context, such as tuning out the sensation of a ring on your finger until you consciously notice it again.
“What is used is preserved”
According to lead researcher Prof. Esther Kühn, this pattern shows how the brain preserves what it uses most. Neural circuits that remain active tend to retain their functionality, even in advanced age. This adaptability explains why some sensorimotor skills, like typing or using tools, stay sharp for decades, while others decline.
The research also highlighted an extraordinary case: a 52-year-old participant who had lived with one arm since birth. The corresponding brain area for the missing limb showed noticeable thinning, reinforcing the idea that frequent stimulation keeps neural tissue robust.
A hopeful outlook on aging
Overall, the study paints an encouraging picture of the aging brain. The discovery that some cortical layers continue to strengthen supports the idea that neuroplasticity persists throughout life.
The findings suggest that maintaining sensory and cognitive activity could play a key role in keeping the brain adaptable. In essence, what we use, we preserve — and the human brain appears to hold that principle firmly, even into advanced age.