Data from 214,000 older adults show that the biggest risks to late‑life brain health depend on where you live—yet they still cluster in familiar patterns.

Losing just ~80 minutes of sleep a night for six weeks led to weight gain and more sitting time, hinting that “just a bit less sleep” isn’t harmless.  

Using your brain to chase questions and new skills builds flexible networks that can help mental acuity stay sharp as you age.  

Tau isn’t just a “bad” protein. New work suggests it quietly acts like a filing clerk in memory circuits, helping turn passing moments into lasting, organized memories.