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Northwestern University researchers have unveiled the secrets behind "SuperAgers"—individuals over 80 who maintain memory function comparable to people 30 years younger.
According to a report summarizing 25 years of study, published in the perspective article "The First 25 Years of the Northwestern SuperAging Program" in Alzheimer's & Dementia. The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, challenge the long-held notion that cognitive decline is an inevitable part of aging.
These exceptional octogenarians perform as well as those in their 50s and 60s on memory tests, scoring "at least 9 out of 15 on a delayed word recall test," according to the Northwestern team.
The most profound discoveries came from post-mortem brain analysis of the 77 donated SuperAger brains examined to date. Dr. Sandra Weintraub, professor of psychiatry, behavioral sciences, and neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and corresponding author, noted that the revelations from the brain analysis were "so earth-shattering for us."
The research established two distinct biological mechanisms that grant SuperAgers their exceptional memory:
Resistance: Some SuperAgers simply "don't make the plaques and tangles"—the amyloid and tau proteins that are the key hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease.
Resilience: Other SuperAgers "make them, but they don't do anything to their brains," meaning their brains are protected from the memory-impairing effects of the harmful proteins.
Beyond chemistry, the SuperAger brains boast a physically youthful structure. Unlike typically aging brains, they show "no significant thinning of their cortex—the outer layer of the brain" and even have a "thicker anterior cingulate cortex than younger adults," a region critical for decision-making and emotion. On a cellular level, they possess more of the specialized von economo neurons, which are linked to social behavior, and larger entorhinal neurons, which are vital for memory.
The scientists also noted a common behavioral thread: SuperAgers tend to be highly social. Despite diverse lifestyles concerning diet or exercise, they consistently "tend to be highly social and report strong interpersonal relationships."
Ultimately, the goal is to leverage these insights to benefit the wider population. As Dr. Weintraub stated, "Our findings show that exceptional memory in old age is not only possible but is linked to a distinct neurobiological profile. This opens the door to new interventions aimed at preserving brain health well into the later decades of life." The researchers believe this work offers a path toward developing new ways to strengthen cognitive function and delay or prevent dementia.