With the rapid growth of the population age 65 years and older and the increased risk of cognitive decline associated with advanced age, there is a mounting need to identify the potential mechanisms that buffer against cognitive decline and preserve cognitive function in later life.

Previous studies have shown that having more years of education, participating in cognitively stimulating activities and having longevity in your family all protect brain health and help people maintain good cognitive function throughout life. However, little is known about how these factors relate with one another or if they are distinct pathways for optimizing cognitive health.

Now, for the first time, a new study looks at the interplay between these factors that promote cognitive resilience in older adulthood. The study found that older adults without a family history of longevity who more frequently engaged in cognitively stimulating activities such as reading, writing, playing games and visiting museums, were able to match the same level of good cognitive functioning as those with familial longevity. This was particularly true for executive function (cognitive processes that help people manage their thoughts and actions) and language tasks. When both groups had similar levels of cognitive engagement from activities like reading, researchers found that people with a family history of longer lifespans still had better memory than those without that trait.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA —The Public Library of Science (PLOS) today announced a publishing agreement with Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), enabling its researchers to have unlimited publishing in all PLOS Journals. MAHE is participating in our Community Action Publishing, Global Equity and Flat Fee models that shift publishing costs from authors to research institutions. The publishing agreement runs through 2026.

Evaluating research quality is central to building scientific knowledge, yet social sciences often face challenges due to methodological limits and disciplinary biases in existing tools. A new study addressed these gaps by systematically reviewing current approaches and developing the Quality Appraisal Checklist for Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed-Methods Studies (QQM Checklist). This concise, versatile tool enhances rigor in assessing diverse study types and supports more transparent, evidence-based decisions in both research and funding.