Study links helping others to younger brain age

A recent study on American adults found that spending time helping others is associated with a younger-looking brain, even when factors like health, lifestyle, and the support received are considered. The research suggests that actively supporting others might have protective effects on the brain as people age.

Focus shifts from receiving to giving support

While previous research has mostly looked at the benefits of receiving social support—such as help, presence, or emotional comfort—this study investigated whether regularly giving support to others could be seen in the brain structure of middle-aged and older adults. The findings challenge the common focus on what individuals receive from their social networks.

Data from the MIDUS project used

The researchers used data from the MIDUS project, a large American study that follows the health of middle-aged and older adults. Participants reported how many hours they spent providing instrumental support—like concrete, material, or financial help—and emotional support to others.

BrainAGE score measures brain age

To assess brain age, the team calculated a BrainAGE score for each participant. This score compares the brain’s estimated age, derived from structural MRI scans, to the person’s actual age. A lower BrainAGE score means the brain appears younger than the person's chronological age.

Helping others predicts younger brain age

After adjusting for other factors, the researchers found that people who spent more hours helping others had lower BrainAGE scores. This suggests that providing support to others might be linked to a brain that appears younger, potentially offering insights into how social behavior affects aging.