Your brain does not necessarily age at the same rate as the rest of your body.
Two people of the same chronological age may have different patterns of brain structure and function. This has led researchers to develop a concept known as Brain Age.
But what does Brain Age actually measure, and how useful is it?
What Is Brain Age?
Brain Age is an estimate of how old your brain appears compared with the brains of other people.
Your chronological age tells you how many years you have lived. Brain Age attempts to describe age-related patterns in your brain, usually based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
For example, a 60-year-old person might receive an estimated Brain Age of 65.
This means that a computer model has identified structural patterns resembling those typically seen in an older brain.
It does not mean that the person’s brain has literally aged five additional years.
How Is Brain Age Measured?
Most MRI-based Brain Age methods use artificial intelligence to analyse structural features of the brain.
These may include changes in brain tissue, regional brain volumes and other patterns associated with aging.
The computer compares these features with patterns learned from large groups of MRI scans and produces an estimated age.
Different algorithms can produce different results from the same scan. MRI equipment and image-processing methods may also influence the estimate.
Brain Age is therefore a calculated indicator, not a precise biological measurement.
Does an Older Brain Age Mean a Higher Risk of Dementia?
Some studies have found that people whose brains appear older than their chronological age have a greater likelihood of developing cognitive impairment or dementia.
A 2026 clinical study involving 799 patients found that MRI-based Brain Age provided additional information about future dementia risk, particularly among people who reported memory difficulties but performed normally on cognitive tests.
However, the additional predictive benefit was modest.
An older Brain Age does not mean that dementia will develop. A younger Brain Age does not guarantee that dementia will be avoided.
Brain Age testing cannot independently diagnose Alzheimer’s disease or replace a neurological assessment.
Can Brain Age Tell You How Fast Your Brain Is Aging?
Not from a single measurement.
An estimated Brain Age of 65 in a 60-year-old does not establish that the brain is aging faster.
Measuring changes over time is more complicated. Different scanners, algorithms and measurement variability can influence results.
Researchers are still investigating how reliably Brain Age can be used to monitor changes in individual patients.
What Can You Do to Support Brain Health?
Regardless of your estimated Brain Age, established measures for maintaining brain health remain important.
Regular physical activity, blood pressure control, avoiding smoking, adequate sleep and managing cardiovascular risk factors can support healthy brain aging.
Maintaining social connections and staying mentally engaged are also important parts of a healthy lifestyle.
These measures are valuable even without a Brain Age test.
