Human-Animal Interaction Studies · Cross-sectional study

Could owning a pet be good for your brain?

Paper: Pet ownership is associated with greater cognitive and brain health in a cross-sectional sample across the adult lifespan
McDonough et al. · Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience 2022 · doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2022.953889

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Could owning a pet be good for your brain? Researchers in Alabama tested 95 adults, young and old, and scanned the brains of most. Pet owners, especially dog owners, scored higher on memory and speed tests and had larger brain areas. On a combined score, their estimated brain age was up to 15 years younger than non-owners'. But it was one small snapshot, and sharper minds may simply choose pets. It shows a link, not proof of cause.

AI-assisted summary with an AI voice, not reviewed by the authors. Made from the paper under its CC BY licence. Read the paper before relying on a finding. Keywords: Are pets good for our health?, pets, pet ownership, dog ownership, cognitive health, brain health.