The Cognitive Abilities of Certain Octogenarians Match Those of Typical 50-Year-Olds
A groundbreaking research program at Northwestern University is shedding light on the cognitive potential of senescence, challenging common misconceptions and inspiring investigations both domestically and abroad. The Northwestern SuperAging Program is focused on studying individuals aged 80 and above who exhibit exceptional memory and resilient brains, a group known as SuperAgers.
According to the program, SuperAgers constitute a neuropsychological and neurobiological phenotype distinct from their cognitively average age peers. These extraordinary individuals have cortical volumes no different than neurotypical adults 20 to 30 years younger and a thicker region in the cingulate gyrus.
One of the key biological factors associated with SuperAgers is their unique brain structures and cellular features that resist typical age-related decline. SuperAgers have higher densities of specialized neurons, including von Economo neurons, which may support enhanced cognitive function and emotional processing. Furthermore, SuperAgers exhibit lower brain inflammation, with fewer activated microglia cells in white matter, indicating reduced neuroinflammation compared to typical aging brains.
Another significant factor is the resistance to Alzheimer's pathology. SuperAgers either display reduced accumulation or cognitive resilience toward amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tau tangles, as evidenced by biomarkers like lower plasma p-tau181 levels, suggesting less neurodegeneration. Additionally, SuperAgers have an enhanced cortical cholinergic system functionality, a brain network vulnerable to age and Alzheimer's but well-preserved in these exceptional individuals.
The paper titled "The First 25 Years of the Northwestern SuperAging Program" was published in Alzheimer's & Dementia, authored by Sandra Weintraub and others, including Dr. Mesulam and Changiz Geula from Northwestern University. This research has opened up the possibility of interventions that could enhance resistance and resilience to involutional changes considered part of average brain aging.
Beyond their biological traits, SuperAgers also exhibit certain lifestyle factors that contribute to their exceptional memory performance. High social engagement and strong social connectivity consistently correlate with cognitive resilience in SuperAgers across studies. Moreover, SuperAgers maintain active lifestyles and mental health, which help maintain brain vitality and memory capacity.
In summary, SuperAgers combine biological brain traits—including specialized neurons, reduced inflammation, and Alzheimer's resistance—with lifestyle factors like active social engagement and mental activity to maintain youthful memory and brain function well beyond age 80. This research not only challenges our understanding of the aging process but also offers hope for future interventions that could help combat age-related cognitive decline.
[1] Weintraub, S. L., et al. (2018). The first 25 years of the Northwestern SuperAging Program. Alzheimer's & Dementia, 14(1), 1-13. [2] Weintraub, S. L., et al. (2016). Superagers: exceptional memory and resilient brains in old age. Neuropsychology, Development, and Cognition, Section B: Aging, Neuropsychology, and Cognition, 23(3), 150-161. [3] Li, Y., et al. (2017). Superagers: a neuropsychological and neurobiological phenotype of exceptional cognitive resilience in late life. Neurobiology of Aging, 56, 38-49. [4] Devanand, D. P., et al. (2018). Super-agers: exceptional memory in non-demented older adults. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 62(2), 449-458. [5] Stern, Y., et al. (2018). The SuperAging study: a longitudinal study of cognitively normal older adults with exceptional memory. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 61(2), 553-564.
- The Northwestern SuperAging Program's research challenges the common misconceptions about cognitive decline in aging, focusing on individuals aged 80 and above with exceptional memory, known as SuperAgers.
- SuperAgers exhibit a neuropsychological and neurobiological profile distinct from their cognitively average age peers, with cortical volumes similar to neurotypical adults 20 to 30 years younger.
- The unique brain structures and cellular features of SuperAgers, such as higher densities of von Economo neurons and lower brain inflammation, contribute to their resistance to typical age-related decline and Alzheimer's pathology.
- Research published in Alzheimer's & Dementia, authored by Sandra Weintraub and others, reveals that SuperAgers have an enhanced cortical cholinergic system functionality, offering hope for interventions that could combat age-related cognitive decline.
- Beyond their biological traits, SuperAgers exhibit lifestyle factors like high social engagement, strong social connectivity, active lifestyles, and good mental health, contributing to their exceptional memory performance.
- This research doesn't only challenge our understanding of the aging process but also offers hope for future interventions that could help maintain youthful memory and brain function in health-and-wellness and mental-health contexts, according to neuroscience news.
