Having a good companionship helps your mental health

In the study published August 16, researchers noted having someone who hears you and is with you at hard times whom you can count on to listen to you when you need to be heard, contributes to a better brain function which researchers also believe can be boosted by mentally stimulating activities, physical exercise, and positive social interactions as well.

 "This study adds to growing evidence that people can take steps, either for themselves or the people they care about most, to increase the odds they'll slow down cognitive aging or prevent the development of symptoms of Alzheimer's disease -- something that is all the more important given that we still don't have a cure for the disease." says lead researcher Joel Salinas.

The number of people with Alzheimer’s has been estimated at around 5 million in America. This emphasizes the importance of taking care of your brain to slow down the process of aging.

How the study was performed:

Study participants' cognitive flexibility was measured as the relative effect of total cerebral brain volume on global cognition, using MRI scans and neuropsychological assessments taken as part of the FHS. Lower brain volumes tend to associate with lower cognitive function, and in this study, researchers examined the modifying effect of individual forms of social support on the relationship between cerebral volume and cognitive performance. 

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