News Neuroscience

The ‘little brain’ may give the aging mind a big boost

A heftier cerebellum was linked to mental agility in a study of more than 37,000 adults

An illustration of a brain outlined in blue with the cerebellum glowing a yellow color. It's located toward the back and bottom of the brain.

Scientists leveraged existing data to study how the "little brain," a nickname for the cerebellum, could give a boost to the aging brain, even during early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

SEBASTIAN KAULITZKI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images

By Jackie Rocheleau

The cerebellum, the wizened “little brain” nestled in the base of the skull, may help keep us sharp as we age.