"We were particularly intrigued by the finding of genetic variants jointly tied to rhythm and language as being enriched for oligodendrocytes in the brain," Gordon said.

The researchers tried bathing oligodendrocyte precursor cells in dishes of morphine or dopamine and determined that neither chemical directly causes proliferation of these cells.

Additionally, researchers observed sex-specific differences in the aging process of certain brain cells, with the female cortex exhibiting a higher ratio of "old" oligodendrocytes to "old" neurons compared to the male cortex.

These useful cells in the brain, called oligodendrocytes, are responsible for producing myelin sheaths that wrap around cable-like parts of nerve cells called axons, much like the plastic insulation around a wire.

For oligodendrocytes -- the central nervous system cells critical for brain function -- age may not bring wisdom, but it does come with the power to cling to life for much, much longer than scientists knew.