Does brain shrinkage shape predict memory loss in old age?

Researchers tracked brain shape changes in 79-year-olds over several years, finding that the hippocampus and thalamus deform differently depending on hemisphere and location. Changes in how these structures warp inward or outward predicted declines in general cognition better than simple volume loss. This suggests aging brains don't just shrink—they warp in specific ways that matter for memory and thinking.