# Brain Aging Is the mental decline related to aging, which is due to the reduction in brain volume and the progressive atrophy of neurons and their interconnections. [^1] Recent studies have shown that brain aging and the said deterioration of mental acuity can be prevented or reversed due to neuroplasticity and neurogenesis, allowing adults to learn as easily as children. [^2] *Neuroplasticity* is the change occurring in the brain due to experience which involves transfer of specific functions of the brain to areas not originally allocated to them. [^2] While it was previously believed that neuroplasticity was limited to children, recent studies have confirmed it occurs in adults as well. [^3] Neuroplasticity is related to *neurogenesis*, which is a process in which damaged neurons are replaced by stem cells. Neurogenesis continues into adulthood until death. [^4] To reverse brain aging, adults should avoid repetitive mental tasks and should instead embrace learning new skills and challenging the brain. [^2] [^1]: OECD (2007). Understanding the Brain: the Birth of a Learning Science. [^2]: [[The Ageing Brain Neuroplasticity and Lifelong Learning]] [^3]: Doidge, N. (2007). The brain that changes itself: stories of personal triumph from the frontiers of brain science. [^4]: [Adult Neurogenesis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adult_neurogenesis)