SuperAgers Show Remarkable Memory Retention and Unique Brain Characteristics
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A Northwestern Medicine research program has studied individuals over 80, known as 'SuperAgers,' for more than 25 years. These individuals perform on memory tests at levels similar to people decades younger and exhibit unique brain characteristics, including thicker cortexes and larger neurons linked to memory and social behavior. The findings, published in a special journal issue, offer insights into cognitive resilience.
Facts First
- SuperAgers perform on memory tests like people at least 30 years younger, scoring at least 9 out of 15 on delayed word recall tests.
- The Northwestern SuperAging Program has studied 290 participants since 2000, with 77 brains donated for post-mortem study.
- SuperAgers show little to no thinning of the cortex and, in some cases, a thicker anterior cingulate cortex than younger adults.
- They possess larger entorhinal neurons for memory and a higher number of von Economo neurons linked to social behavior.
- Most SuperAgers are highly social and maintain close relationships, and participants are evaluated annually.
What Happened
Researchers at Northwestern Medicine have studied individuals aged 80 and older, known as 'SuperAgers,' for more than 25 years. The term was introduced by Dr. M. Marsel Mesulam in the late 1990s. Since 2000, 290 participants have participated in the SuperAger program. Their performance on memory tests matches that of people in their 50s and 60s. Researchers have studied 77 donated SuperAger brains after death, finding some with the presence of amyloid and tau proteins and others without. SuperAgers show little to no thinning of the cortex, and in some cases, the anterior cingulate cortex is thicker than in younger adults. They also possess larger entorhinal neurons and a higher number of von Economo neurons. Most SuperAgers are highly social. The research findings were published in a perspective article in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association as part of a special issue marking anniversaries of the National Institute on Aging's (NIA) Alzheimer's Disease Centers Program and the National Alzheimer Coordinating Center (NACC).
Why this Matters to You
This research may offer a hopeful perspective on aging and cognitive health. Understanding the biological and lifestyle factors that contribute to SuperAgers' resilience could inform future strategies to maintain memory and brain health as you age. The findings suggest that strong social connections and specific brain characteristics are associated with exceptional cognitive longevity, which could influence how you think about maintaining your own social networks and overall well-being.
What's Next
The SuperAger program continues, with participants at the Mesulam Center evaluated annually and having the option to donate their brains for scientific study after death. Ongoing research may further clarify the relationship between social behavior, unique neuron types, and resistance to age-related cognitive decline. These insights could eventually contribute to broader public health understanding and potentially to interventions aimed at promoting cognitive resilience.