Use it or lose it…
Reviewed by Jennifer K Stott

The ageing auditory system: about 15 years ago, you could probably count on one hand the number of research papers on this subject. Now it seems one of the hot topics of discussion and investigation. This is, it seems, quite rightly so. This study, albeit on mice, looks at the impact of low-effort tasks on the functional changes that occur in an ageing auditory cortex. Consistent with other studies, keeping a system – in this case, the auditory system – exercised helps preserve the functionality against the steady march of time. So, in summary, one could quote the old adage used by Joan Collins and the rest – use it or lose it. Or, at least, practice helps to keep efficiency in the system.

Long-term training alters response dynamics in the aging auditory cortex.
Mittelstadt JK, Shilling-Scrivo KV, Kanold PO.
HEAR RES
2024;444:108965.