Individuals over 80 years old, known as SuperAgers, exhibit memory capabilities comparable to people three decades younger. Researchers at Northwestern Medicine have studied these individuals for more than 25 years. They seek to understand how some people maintain exceptional cognitive function into advanced age.
SuperAgers consistently perform well on memory tests. This challenges the idea that cognitive decline is an inevitable part of aging. The research has revealed both lifestyle and biological factors contributing to their cognitive resilience. SuperAgers often have highly social and outgoing personalities.
Brain examinations have provided significant insights. Some SuperAger brains show amyloid and tau proteins, which are associated with Alzheimer's disease. Other SuperAger brains show no signs of these proteins. This indicates two mechanisms: resistance, where harmful proteins do not form, and resilience, where proteins form but do not affect brain function.
Key characteristics of SuperAgers include exceptional memory performance and youthful brain structure. Their brains show little to no thinning of the cortex. The anterior cingulate cortex, involved in decision-making and emotion, can be thicker than in younger adults. SuperAgers also possess a higher number of von Economo neurons, linked to social behavior, and larger entorhinal neurons crucial for memory.
The findings were published as a perspective article in *Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association*. Dr. Sandra Weintraub, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, is a corresponding author. Researchers hope these discoveries will lead to new strategies for strengthening cognitive resilience and reducing the risk of dementia.
Participants in the program undergo annual evaluations. Many have chosen to donate their brains for post-mortem study. These brain donations have been essential to the program's discoveries. Dr. Tamar Gefen, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Feinberg, noted the importance of brain donation for scientific advancement.
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