You may be 40 years old, but could your brain already be showing signs of accelerated aging? New research involving more than 18,000 people suggests that the answer may depend on much more than genetics or your date of birth.

brain to age faster—and can anything be done to protect it?
What Does It Mean When Scientists Say Your Brain Is Aging Faster?

Your chronological age is simply the number of years you have been alive.

Your brain’s estimated biological age is more complicated.

Researchers use brain imaging, electrical activity, and computational models to investigate patterns associated with normal aging.

These measurements may include changes in brain volume, tissue structure, connectivity, and functional activity.

By comparing an individual’s brain measurements with those of people of different ages, scientists can estimate what is sometimes called brain age.

The difference between predicted