Researchers from University of New Castle explained that our brain slack off as we age. They found out that as people age the tension on their cortex decreases. They said that the cortical folding, folds in our brain, can change over time
The researchers found these out by mapping brain folding of 1,000 people. Researcher Yujiang Wang explained one of the key features of mammalian brain is the folds of its brain, Mail Online reported.
They explained that the cerebral cortex expansion is the best evidence of mammalian brain evolution. The evolution is accompanied by the increase on the cortical folding. They explained that brain is covered with folds called sulci. Sulci increases the cortex's surface in the skull.
They said that their findings show that adult brain unfolds and flattens to about 100,000 mm2. This is about one and half times the size of an A4 paper. They explained that cortical folding is like the folding of the skin that happens when we age. They said that the skin's tension slacks off as we age much like the brain.
They also found out that brain folding follows one universal principle and mathematic law. They stressed that until now there's no systematic study that demonstrates a singular law regarding this matter, Science Daily reported.
They explained that they found out that cortex fold the same way regardless of their size and shape. They also added that they were able to find the parameters of the law and work around it.
Researchers also found out that men and women differ on size and degree of folding. They explained that women tend to fold less slightly than male brains can.
Despite this, cortical folding happens the same way in both men and women. They explained that for people with Alzheimer's disease the change is different.
They explained that with Alzheimer's the brain prematurely age in the cortex. They believe that their findings can be linked to Alzheimer's disease.
