Contrary to the pervasive negative stereotypes of ageing, emotional functions actually tend to improve in later life, however, the brain mechanisms underlying these changes in emotional function over age remain unknown. This study demonstrate that emotional stability improves steadily over seven decades (12–79 years) and demonstrates some of the neurological changes involved. The improvement in emotional function was found to be independent from the common loss of ‘grey matter’ in the brain. The researchers propose “an integrative model in which accumulated life experience and the motivation for meaning over acquisition in older age contribute to plasticity of medial prefrontal systems, achieving a greater selective control over emotional functions.” 

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