Our brains age along with the rest of our bodies , and as they do, they produce fewer new brain cells . Now, researchers have found a key mechanism through which the typical age-related decline in neuron production might be slowed. In later life, the neural stem cells (NSCs) that turn into fully fledged neurons become more dormant – almost as if they're going into retirement after a long lifetime of service. As that happens, cognitive decline creeps in . A major reason why NSC activity fades