Nov 28, 2025
3 min read
Recent studies, coordinated by the Irccs IRCCS Clinical Institute and the Neurosciencies Institute of PISA, have shown that a combination of physical activity, cognitive stimulation, and social interaction is associated with brain aging.A protocol called Your Train demonstrates specific benefits in subjects with light layer thinning (MCI), including inflammatory molecules in the blood.
How does inflammation affect brain aging and why does an active lifestyle fail?
In recent years, more and more research has highlighted the close relationship between chronic inflammation, aging and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.Inflammation is not simply an immune system response, but becomes a slow and ongoing process that alters neuronal function, reduces brain plasticity, impairs memory, and accelerates cognitive decline.This is a kind of biological background that accompanies aging, often without obvious symptoms, but with profound consequences.
In this scenario, the research led by Humanitas and Cnr tried to understand if it was possible to intervene in these processes not only through medication or targeted therapies, but also with an integrated and structured way of life.The result was surprising: the researchers observed that the Train the Brain pathway is able to modify the biochemistry of inflammation in the blood, reducing the molecules associated with cognitive impairment and instead favoring anti-inflammatory ones, considered protective of the brain.
Neuroprotection is not just about improving memory or attention, but about the brain's ability to cope with age-related biological stress.And while the importance of physical activity on the vascular and digestive system has been known for some time, a new element appears here: the combination of movement, cognitive exercises and social interactions produces a synergistic effect, stronger than the sum of individual interventions.
The study describes the role of inflammation, which triggers inflammation and aging, and describes the part of persistent inflammation that is one of the main causes of brain aging.Therefore, the Italian discovery has a certain importance: it can be done with simple, everyday, minimal, available tools, already known in clinical practice, without the need for complex protocols or invasive experiments.
The training shows how the brain program works and what real results are produced by the subject wearing it
The Train Brain program is based on three pillars: guided physical activity, cognitive stimulation, and focused social.It is this approach that does not work on a single element, but on a system of factors that integrate brain health.This idea was born by PIB-In of KRNR, who created a multidimensional method that can simultaneously work with the body, mind and relationship.Under the leadership of Michela Matteoli, humanities scholars studied the aspects that contributed to this contribution.
The study involved 76 people diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment.They were divided into two groups: an experimental group that participated in a brain training program for seven months, and a control group that received only information support.Participants in the active group were shown to demonstrate significant improvement in cognitive function as measured by multivariate testing.The most innovative aspect, however, was in the blood: the researchers found a reduction in the number of pro-inflammatory molecules and at the same time an increase in the number of anti-inflammatory molecules, which are known to have neuroprotective effects.
These results indicate that the program acts on basic biological processes to maintain brain health, without limiting itself to a superficial improvement in cognitive performance.The combined effect of movement, mental exercise and social relationships creates a physiological environment less stressed by inflammation, improving the brain's ability to maintain stable functions despite age.It is a perspective that also opens up new possibilities for the clinical treatment of mild cognitive impairment, a condition that is often considered a prelude to Alzheimer's, but which is still reversible in many cases.
The value of this study lies not only in the quantitative data, but also in demonstrating that the brain is a plastic, adaptable organ capable of responding to the right stimuli even when the first signs of decline are already evident.Brain training doesn't promise miracles, but it points in the scientifically right direction toward slowing a process that many think is inevitable, and provides concrete strategies based on real, measurable, large-scale interventions.
