Parenting Linked to Slower Brain Aging, Study Finds

Research suggests caregiving enhances brain connectivity, benefiting both mothers and fathers as they age.

A study of nearly 38,000 adults in the UK found that parenting is associated with slower age-related cognitive decline.
Parents with more children showed increased brain connectivity in regions related to movement, sensation, and social interaction.
The benefits were observed in both mothers and fathers, indicating caregiving, not pregnancy, drives these cognitive effects.
Parenting may enhance brain health through physical activity, social engagement, and cognitive challenges like multitasking and problem-solving.
Researchers caution that the findings are based on UK participants and further studies are needed to explore the broader implications.