The actual study: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/2816798 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/2... It's a stu

The actual study: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/2816798 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/2... It's a study of 3226 people born between the 1930s and 1970s, and the size difference holds up, they say, regardless of sex and height (height has increased over the generations as well). The theory for "healthier" is, to quote: >We hypothesize that larger brain volumes indicate larger brain development and potentially greater "brain reserve" that could explain the declining incidence of dementia as previously reported. As for why, they state: >While ICV and brain size are under substantial genetic influence, the timeline of effect found with our results indicates that early life environmental influences are more likely contributors. Life course perspectives emphasize the impact of early life experiences on brain health that also translate into larger brain structures and reduced risk for later-life dementia through improved reserve. Similarly, efforts to improve cardiovascular health during adulthood that occurred over the time duration of this study are associated with reduced incidence of cognitive impairment and dementia, indicating that modifying these factors could also serve to improve resistance to late-life dementia. No mentions of lead. ---- Interesting headline note: the UCD press release (<https://health.ucdavis.edu/welcome/news/headlines/human-brains-are-getting-larger-that-may-be-good-news-for-dementia-risk/2024/03 https://health.ucdavis.edu/welcome/news/headlines/human-brai...>) writes "That may be good news for dementia risk" whereas this write-up writes "Is That Healthier?"