Superagers Defy Age: Unlocking Secrets To Exceptional Memory
For a quarter of a century, researchers at Northwestern Medicine have been delving into the mysteries of individuals known as “SuperAgers”. These remarkable people, aged 80 and above, defy the typical age-related memory decline, maintaining cognitive abilities that rival those of people 30 years younger.
Dr. Sandra Weintraub, a leading expert at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, highlights the startling findings from this research. While social and outgoing personalities are common traits among SuperAgers, the true revelations lie in their brain structures. This work aims to uncover biological and behavioral factors that could lead to new ways of enhancing cognitive resilience and combating diseases like Alzheimer’s.
The key takeaway from this research is that aging with exceptional memory is possible. SuperAgers possess a unique neurobiological profile, offering hope for interventions that might protect brain health as we age, according to Dr. Weintraub.
The study, soon to be published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, celebrates the significant work done by the National Institute on Aging's program. It also marks 25 years of progress at the National Alzheimer Coordinating Center.
The term “SuperAger” was coined by Dr. M. Marsel Mesulam, a pioneer in cognitive neurology. Since the early 2000s, 290 SuperAgers have contributed to this groundbreaking research, with 79 brains donated for scientific analysis. Some of these brains showed the presence of amyloid and tau proteins, commonly associated with Alzheimer’s, while others did not.
Dr. Weintraub explains that there are two paths to becoming a SuperAger. One is resistance, where the brain simply doesn’t develop the damaging plaques and tangles. The other is resilience, where these elements are present but do not affect brain function.
This research not only challenges the inevitability of cognitive decline with age but also opens up exciting possibilities for future treatments to maintain cognitive health into advanced years.