Older Individuals at 80 Possessing Memory Capacity Equivalent to Averages of Those at 50
In a groundbreaking study, researchers at Northwestern University have made significant strides in understanding the phenomenon of SuperAgers – individuals aged 80 or older who exhibit exceptional memory and cognitive abilities comparable to those decades younger. The findings, published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia, could pave the way for interventions that enhance resistance and resilience to involutional changes associated with average brain aging, and potentially slow or block cognitive decline seen in Alzheimer's and other dementias.
The paper, titled "The First 25 Years of the Northwestern SuperAging Program," was authored by Sandra Weintraub and her team, and sheds light on the biological and behavioral traits linked to the cognitive resilience of SuperAgers.
Biological Traits
One of the key findings is the preservation of the SuperAgers' brain structure. Unlike their peers, SuperAgers demonstrate no significant thinning of the cortex, maintaining a thickness comparable to or greater than much younger adults. Notably, they have a thicker anterior cingulate cortex, a brain region critical for integrating decision-making, emotion, motivation, social networking, and affiliative behaviors.
Moreover, SuperAgers exhibit a unique cellular architecture. They have a higher density of von Economo neurons – specialized spindle-shaped neurons primarily in the anterior cingulate and frontoinsular cortex – associated with complex social behavior and emotional regulation. Additionally, they possess larger entorhinal neurons, which are vital for memory processing and are usually vulnerable in typical aging.
Another striking discovery is the resistance and resilience of SuperAgers’ brains to Alzheimer's pathology. Some SuperAgers do not develop amyloid plaques and tau tangles, the hallmark AD pathology, while others do but their brains somehow remain unaffected cognitively, showing no functional decline despite the pathology. Furthermore, SuperAgers have significantly fewer tau pathology markers in critical memory regions, contributing to preserved memory function.
Behavioral Traits
The behavioral traits of SuperAgers also play a crucial role in their cognitive resilience. They tend to be highly social, frequently engaging in extracurricular activities and maintaining strong, meaningful social connections. Their active and engaged lifestyles, while varying, correlate with the thriving anterior cingulate cortex and overall cognitive vitality.
On delayed word recall tests, SuperAgers perform on par with people 20-30 years younger, showing very slow or no cognitive decline.
Contribution to Cognitive Resilience and Disease Prevention
These biological features support brain regions essential for memory, motivation, and social behavior, all critical for cognitive longevity. Resistance mechanisms prevent the buildup of AD-linked proteins, potentially avoiding disease onset. Resilience mechanisms allow some to tolerate pathological markers without cognitive impairment, opening new understanding of cognitive reserve and brain plasticity.
Social engagement and emotional health tied to von Economo neuron density suggest behavioral factors directly support biological brain health. Understanding these traits enables the development of interventions targeting both prevention of pathology and enhancement of brain resilience, which may slow or block cognitive decline seen in Alzheimer's and other dementias.
In summary, the interplay between unique brain cellular architecture, preserved brain structure, exceptional memory, and an active, social lifestyle jointly contribute to the SuperAgers’ ability to maintain cognitive functions well into very advanced age, offering valuable insights into strategies for preventing or mitigating age-related cognitive decline and dementia.
This research is helping to revise common misperceptions about the cognitive potential of senescence and has inspired investigations throughout the United States and abroad. The study focuses on "superaging," a term coined at Northwestern University's Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) to describe individuals aged 80 and above with delayed word recall scores at least equal to those of individuals 20 to 30 years younger.
- The study, published in Alzheimer's & Dementia, has highlighted the brain structures of SuperAgers, aged 80 or older, showing no significant thinning of the cortex, and having a thicker anterior cingulate cortex, crucial for decision-making, emotion, motivation, and social networking.
- SuperAgers possess a higher density of von Economo neurons, believed to be associated with complex social behavior and emotional regulation, which contributes to their cognitive resilience.
- In the realm of psychology and neuroscience news, the study has revealed that SuperAgers, while trending towards an active and engaged lifestyle, also have larger entorhinal neurons, important for memory processing, usually vulnerable during typical aging.
- Contrasting their peers, SuperAgers demonstrate resistance and resilience to Alzheimer's pathology, as some do not develop amyloid plaques and tau tangles, while others do, but still show minimal cognitive decline.
- The health-and-wellness and mental-health sectors might benefit substantially from this research, as understanding the behavioral traits of SuperAgers could lead to interventions enhancing brain resilience and potentially slowing cognitive decline related to Alzheimer's and other dementias.
- The SuperAging Program, conducted at Northwestern University, focuses on "superaging," a term coined to describe individuals aged 80 and above with delayed word recall scores at least equaling those of people 20 to 30 years younger.
