What Makes 'Superager' Brains More Resistant to Aging?

Research is ongoing to understand why some individuals maintain sharp cognitive abilities into old age. Recent studies identify unique brain features of 'superagers'—people aged 80 and above who perform cognitively like much younger individuals. These individuals tend to be more sociable, and their brains show less atrophy and neurofibrillary tangles, especially in areas involved in emotion and social cognition.

What makes a person a ‘superager’?

Superagers are typically 80+ years old and score similarly to middle-aged adults on memory tests, such as the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test. Despite aging, they maintain brain health, possibly due to genetic factors and certain brain characteristics like higher levels of von Economo neurons and cortical thickness in key regions. Importantly, they exhibit fewer pathological brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Brain features of superagers

• Higher levels of von Economo neurons involved in emotional and social processing.
• Less cortical thinning, especially in the anterior cingulate cortex, which is linked to emotion regulation and social behaviors.
• Fewer neurofibrillary tangles, proteins linked to Alzheimer’s pathology.
• Resistance to typical age-related brain degeneration, possibly due to genetic factors present from birth.

Implications for cognitive health

Studying superagers could unlock new ways to promote brain resilience and prevent cognitive decline in the general aging population. Lifestyle factors like social engagement, positive relationships, and mental activity are common among superagers, although more research is needed to confirm their influence.

Limitations and future directions

Current studies are limited by small sample sizes and lack of diversity data. More research is necessary to understand innate versus acquired traits contributing to superaging and how these insights can be translated into interventions.

What can we learn?

Understanding how some individuals preserve brain function well into old age offers hope for developing strategies to protect cognitive health universally. Studying superagers demonstrates that mental decline may not be inevitable and that a combination of genetic, biological, and lifestyle factors play a role.

"Superagers show us that aging with a sharp mind is possible, and their brains offer clues to preventing neurodegeneration." — Expert quote

This ongoing research has the potential to revolutionize aging and cognitive health, emphasizing that healthy brain aging is achievable.

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