Parenthood Linked to Lower Cognitive Decline With Age

Parenthood reshapes priorities, schedules, and, indeed, the brain itself. While short-term brain changes in parents are well-documented, it’s unclear if they last. Now, a study suggests that parenthood may give you a younger brain due to brain restructuring that safeguards against age-related cognitive decline.
Researchers of the study published in PNAS found that parents have better brain connections in areas that typically weaken with age. Compared to adults who are not parents, these different parts of their brain work more smoothly together.
As the number of children increased, so did brain connectivity strengthened, suggesting a protective effect against age-related brain changes.