Summary: For a quarter of a century, researchers have been examining “SuperAgers”—people over 80 who possess memories comparable to those much younger. Their findings indicate that these individuals either do not develop the plaques and tangles associated with Alzheimer’s or exhibit resilience despite their presence.
SuperAgers display youthful brain characteristics, including a thicker cortex and special neurons associated with memory and social abilities. Understanding their biology and behaviors might lead to innovative approaches for maintaining cognitive health in later life.
Key Facts
- Exceptional Memory: SuperAgers perform on memory tests like those in their 50s and 60s, despite being over 80.
- Brain Structure: They have a thicker cortex and unique neurons linked to social and memory functions.
- Cognitive Protection: Resistance or resilience to Alzheimer’s-related issues helps maintain cognitive function.
Source: Northwestern University
For the last 25 years, scientists at Northwestern Medicine have studied individuals 80 years and older, known as “SuperAgers,” to uncover their distinct characteristics.
These remarkable individuals exhibit memory performance akin to those at least 30 years younger, challenging the common perception that cognitive decline is an unavoidable consequence of aging.
Throughout the years of research, investigators noticed some lifestyle and personality differences, such as a tendency to be social and outgoing. However, it’s the discoveries about their brains that have been particularly surprising, according to Dr. Sandra Weintraub, a professor of psychiatry and neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
By identifying biological and behavioral traits linked to SuperAging, researchers hope to develop methods to enhance cognitive resilience and reduce the chances of Alzheimer’s and other forms of cognitive decline.
“Our results show that remarkable memory can exist in older age, and this is connected to a unique neurobiological profile. This could pave the way for new strategies aimed at safeguarding brain health into later life,” said Weintraub, the corresponding author of an upcoming paper summarizing these findings.
This paper will be included in a special issue of Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the National Institute on Aging’s Alzheimer’s Disease Centers Program and the 25th anniversary of the National Alzheimer Coordinating Center.
SuperAger brains are resilient, resistant.
The term “SuperAger” was introduced by Dr. M. Marsel Mesulam when he established the Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease at Northwestern in the late 1990s.
Since then, 290 SuperAger participants have been studied, and 77 brains have been autopsied. Some of these brains showed amyloid and tau proteins, which are associated with Alzheimer’s, while others did not.
“We discovered two mechanisms that can help someone become a SuperAger,” said Weintraub. “One is resistance: they don’t develop plaques and tangles. The other is resilience: they develop them, but their brains remain unaffected.”
Other key findings:
- Exceptional memory performance: SuperAgers score at least 9 out of 15 on a delayed word recall test, similar to individuals in their 50s and 60s.
- Youthful brain structure: Unlike typical aging brains, SuperAgers do not show significant thinning of the cortex and have even thicker anterior cingulate cortexes than younger adults, which is vital for decision-making, emotion, and motivation.
- Unique cellular traits: They possess more von Economo neurons, which are important for social behavior, and larger entorhinal neurons critical for memory compared to their peers.
- Sociability as a common trait: Despite varying lifestyles and exercise habits, SuperAgers are generally very social and often report strong relationships.
‘Brain donation can offer scientific immortality’
At the Mesulam Center, SuperAgers are assessed each year and can opt to donate their brains for post-mortem studies by Northwestern researchers.
“Much of the data in this paper comes from the examination of brain specimens from dedicated SuperAgers who have been observed for many years,” said co-author Dr. Tamar Gefen, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Feinberg.
“It’s truly fascinating how brain donations can lead to discoveries long after a person’s death, granting a kind of scientific legacy.”
The perspective piece, titled “The First 25 Years of the Northwestern SuperAging Program,” includes contributions from Dr. Mesulam and Changiz Geula, a research professor at Feinberg.
About this aging and memory research news
Abstract
In the study of aging, being “average” does not equate to being “intact.” Data from a word list learning assessment indicates that the average delayed recall at age 80 is around half that of individuals aged 56 to 66.
This cognitive and neurobiological decline challenges traditional views of aging brains.
The term “superaging” was introduced at the Northwestern Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) to describe individuals over 80 who show delayed word recall scores equivalent to those 20 to 30 years younger.
Over the first 25 years, it has been confirmed that SuperAgers represent a unique neuropsychological and neurobiological category compared to average aging peers.
In terms of brain structure, SuperAgers demonstrate cortical volumes similar to neurotypical adults 20 to 30 years their junior, not showing the typical age-related shrinkage. They also have a thicker area in the cingulate gyrus than younger neurotypicals.
Regarding cellular biology, SuperAgers show fewer Alzheimer’s disease-related changes, larger entorhinal neurons, fewer inflammatory cells in white matter, better-preserved cholinergic connections, and a higher density of von Economo neurons.
Future research may refine our understanding of the SuperAging phenotype, leading to interventions that improve resistance and resilience against the typical aging process.
This research is redefining misconceptions about the cognitive capacity of older individuals and has inspired studies across the U.S. and worldwide.
