Superagers, individuals who maintain exceptional cognitive abilities well into their 80s and beyond, challenge the notion that cognitive decline is an inevitable aspect of aging. A comprehensive study spanning 25 years has uncovered distinctive neurological features that characterize these remarkable individuals.
Researchers, led by Weintraub and his team, discovered that the brains of superagers show a surprising resistance to the accumulation of protein clumps and tangles associated with Alzheimer”s disease. This unique neurobiological profile includes a higher concentration of a specific type of neuron located in a vital area of the brain, along with reduced levels of inflammatory activity.
Although these findings warrant further validation in diverse populations, they pave the way for innovative interventions aimed at preserving cognitive health into the later stages of life. Superagers demonstrate memory capabilities that are comparable to those of individuals in their 50s, recalling at least nine out of fifteen words during memory tests—performance typical of those two to three decades younger.
Interestingly, some studies suggest that lifestyle factors, such as smoking and regular alcohol consumption, may play a role in these individuals” unique cognitive resilience, indicating that their remarkable abilities might stem largely from biological factors.
The study monitored 290 participants aged 80 and older since the year 2000, comparing those identified as superagers with their peers who display typical aging patterns. The research greatly benefited from the generous donation of 79 superager brains, which allowed scientists to pinpoint critical biological differences.
Among the findings, the outer layer of the brains of typically aging individuals exhibited thinning, while the brains of superagers remained intact. This outer layer is crucial for governing conscious thought, memory, and language. The area where the increased density of neurons is found is essential for regulating attention, emotion, and decision-making. Notably, superagers do not experience the expected shrinkage in this region.
The team hypothesizes that superagers may be born with a higher density of von Economo neurons, which are linked to social and emotional processing. The researchers emphasized that many insights from this study originated from the examination of brain specimens from dedicated superagers who were followed for decades.
Additionally, the study highlighted a list of genes previously identified that may warrant further exploration for their influence on cognition as people age. Understanding how these genes affect cognitive function could lead to the development of pharmaceuticals aimed at promoting the brain characteristics seen in superagers and enhancing resistance to Alzheimer”s disease, according to the researchers” conclusions.
