Older brains more capable of learning than previously believed

It is commonly thought that the brain becomes less malleable as we age, leading to the concoction of phrases like "you can't teach an old dog new tricks".

However, researchers claim that in fact the brain is more impressionable in old age than previously thought.

There is evidence to suggest that the brain is capable of learning new information even later in life, but it may need stimulation to activate this plasticity.

New experiences can exert physical changes in the brain over the course of a few days and in some instances may accelerate the physical, chemical and functional remodelling of the organ.

During a roundtable discussion about the latest developments, Dr Michael Merzenich from the University of California San Francisco commented: "All that’s required to drive changes in the brain is exposure to the physical world. With that exposure, the brain competitively sorts information coming in, and refines its responses to it by creating selective, coordinated networks of neurons."

This process continues even into old age, allowing the brain to continue to adapt.

For older adults, these findings highlight the importance of keeping the brain stimulated during the ageing process.