Expert birders show more compact attention brain areas, study finds
Medical Xpress
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A recent study published in JNeurosci reveals that expert birders exhibit more compact brain areas associated with attention and memory compared to beginners. This research highlights how mastering skills requiring focus, observation, and recall can physically alter brain structures, enhancing efficiency in specific neural regions.
The study, conducted by researchers led by Erik Wing from Baycrest Hospital, utilized MRI scans to compare the brains of 29 expert birders with 29 age- and sex-matched novices. Experts showed denser gray matter in the attention and memory-related areas, suggesting that prolonged engagement in such skills fosters structural brain changes.
This finding underscores the potential benefits of activities that challenge cognitive functions like attention and
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Originally published on Medical Xpress on 2/23/2026