Brain Ageing: New Peaks and What They Mean

Did you know that your brain may have specific ageing peaks? At 58, changes happen in proteins linked to healing, metabolism, and mental health. At 70, age-related brain conditions become more common. And at 78, immune and inflammation-related proteins are affected. This new research challenges the idea that ageing happens steadily over time. Instead, it suggests that we might experience sudden changes, like a cliff drop, rather than a gradual slope. Imagine looking in the mirror one day and not recognizing the person staring back. This is what happened to someone living in France. They went from feeling young to suddenly realising their face and knee had changed dramatically. Living in a city like Paris, with its intense lifestyle, might have contributed to this sudden ageing, which the French call "taking a hit of life" or "coup de vieux". So, what can we do with this new knowledge? One idea is that health checks could become more targeted, focusing on specific ages. But wouldn't it be great if science also gave us some good news? Maybe we could find out exactly when we'll stop worrying about what others think? That would be a nice distraction from the aches and pains that come with ageing.