How many brain cells do you lose in a day?

As a neuroscientist, I can tell you that the concept of losing brain cells is a bit more complex than a simple daily count. It's important to clarify that the brain is composed of neurons and glia cells. While it's true that the human brain contains approximately 100 billion neurons and about one trillion glial cells, the process of cell loss is not as straightforward as losing a certain number each day. The brain does experience some degree of atrophy, or shrinkage, with age. After the age of 20, it's estimated that you might lose about a gram of brain mass per year. However, this does not directly translate to a specific number of neurons being lost daily. Neurons are not lost on a daily basis in a typical, healthy brain. Instead, the brain undergoes a process of natural cell turnover and can also form new neurons, a process known as neurogenesis. It's also worth noting that the brain is incredibly efficient, and it's not just about the number of cells but how they connect and communicate with each other. The loss of cognitive function with age is more related to the deterioration of these connections and the overall health of the brain rather than a specific number of cells dying each day. In summary, while it's not accurate to say that a specific number of brain cells are lost each day, the brain does undergo changes with age that can affect its mass and function.

"Most estimates say we have about 100 billion brain cells (neurons), and about ten times that many, or one trillion, support cells (glia) that help the neurons. We'll just concentrate on the neurons themselves. The brain weighs about 3 pounds, and after age 20, you lose about a gram of brain mass per year.