Living in walkable, green, and well-connected neighborhoods may have a significant impact on protecting against memory and cognitive decline, according to a recent study conducted by researchers from the Center for Healthy Brain Aging (CHeBA) at UNSW Sydney and the Australian Catholic University (ACU). The study, published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia, analyzed data from the Sydney Memory and Aging Study (MAS), which followed over 1,000 adults aged 70 and older for nearly 14 years to investigate factors influencing cognitive stability, decline, and improvement.
The results revealed that individuals residing in densely populated, greener areas with better access to services were less likely to develop dementia. On the other hand, exposure to high levels of air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), was associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline. The study emphasized the importance of supportive neighborhoods that promote physical activity, reduce stress, and offer better air quality in protecting the aging brain.
Access to public transport, parkland, and blue spaces was also linked to a greater chance of recovering from mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to dementia. The researchers noted that even in later life, living in the right environment can provide a second chance for cognitive improvement, rather than just delaying deterioration.
The findings highlight the potential for urban planning and environmental policy to influence brain health outcomes at a population level. The Co-Directors of CHeBA, Professor Perminder Sachdev and Professor Henry Brodaty, stated that the results of the study were the culmination of nearly two decades of work and underscored the role of built and natural environments in cognitive health.
Following the success of the MAS, a new follow-up study called MAS2 was launched in 2023 to explore the effects of environmental factors on brain health in a new generation of older Australians. With over 200 scientific publications already stemming from the original study, this latest research adds to the growing understanding that healthy aging is not solely determined by genetics or lifestyle, but also by the environment in which individuals live.
The study was published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia and can be accessed via DOI: 10.1002/alz.70569. For more information, visit the University of New South Wales website. This research suggests that neighborhoods play a crucial role in shaping cognitive health outcomes and may hold the key to slowing cognitive decline.
