Study uncovers the secret behind “super agers” and their exceptional memory in their 80s
- Replies 0
Some people appear to move through the years with a vitality and sharpness that seem to challenge the usual expectations of what aging looks and feels like, leaving others to wonder what secret factors might be at play behind the scenes.
Their minds remain sharp, their memories strong, and their daily lives largely untouched by the mental decline so often linked to aging.
Scientists have been studying this rare group for decades, searching for clues in both their lifestyles and their brains.
Now, a newly released long-term study is beginning to shed light on the patterns, habits, and circumstances that may set these remarkable individuals apart from the rest, offering intriguing clues without giving away all the answers.
Researchers at Northwestern University spent 25 years following a group they call “super agers” — people aged 80 and older whose memory matches that of someone 30 years younger.
Brain donations from 79 of these individuals showed surprising differences compared to typical aging brains.
Some had very low levels of amyloid and tau proteins, the toxic buildups linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
Others had high levels of those proteins yet somehow avoided cognitive decline, suggesting two possible paths to “super aging”: resistance (avoiding the toxins) and resilience (tolerating them without damage).
The study also found that super agers’ brains did not show the typical thinning of the cortex, the outer layer involved in decision-making and emotion regulation.
They had more “von economo neurons,” linked to social behavior, and larger entorhinal neurons, key for memory.
Personality and habits played a role, too—most were highly social, with strong personal relationships, and they stayed mentally and physically active well into later life.
Lead author Sandra Weintraub said the findings challenge the belief that memory decline is an inevitable part of aging.
“Loss is not inevitable, and if your relative is forgetful at age 80, it may not be part of aging, but of disease,” she told Fox News Digital.
Christopher Weber of the Alzheimer’s Association, who was not involved in the study, called the results “exciting” and said they could help shape strategies for preventing cognitive decline.
Researchers stressed that the “super ager” group was small, mostly well-educated and White, and self-selected into the study—meaning they may have been healthier or more engaged than average older adults.
Still, the data supports the idea that healthy lifestyle choices, social engagement, and possibly genetics all contribute to brain resilience.
Weintraub summed it up simply: “What is good for your heart is good for your brain—eat well, sleep well, exercise, and stay socially connected.”
Read next:
Do you think the secret to staying mentally sharp well into your 80s lies more in lifestyle choices, genetics, or a mix of both? This new study on “super agers” offers fascinating clues but leaves plenty of room for debate. Share your thoughts in the comments—and let us know what habits you believe make the biggest difference in keeping the mind young.
Their minds remain sharp, their memories strong, and their daily lives largely untouched by the mental decline so often linked to aging.
Scientists have been studying this rare group for decades, searching for clues in both their lifestyles and their brains.
Now, a newly released long-term study is beginning to shed light on the patterns, habits, and circumstances that may set these remarkable individuals apart from the rest, offering intriguing clues without giving away all the answers.
Researchers at Northwestern University spent 25 years following a group they call “super agers” — people aged 80 and older whose memory matches that of someone 30 years younger.
Brain donations from 79 of these individuals showed surprising differences compared to typical aging brains.
Study uncovers the secret behind “super agers” and their exceptional memory in their 80s. Image source: Vlad Sargu / Unsplash
Some had very low levels of amyloid and tau proteins, the toxic buildups linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
Others had high levels of those proteins yet somehow avoided cognitive decline, suggesting two possible paths to “super aging”: resistance (avoiding the toxins) and resilience (tolerating them without damage).
The study also found that super agers’ brains did not show the typical thinning of the cortex, the outer layer involved in decision-making and emotion regulation.
They had more “von economo neurons,” linked to social behavior, and larger entorhinal neurons, key for memory.
Personality and habits played a role, too—most were highly social, with strong personal relationships, and they stayed mentally and physically active well into later life.
Lead author Sandra Weintraub said the findings challenge the belief that memory decline is an inevitable part of aging.
“Loss is not inevitable, and if your relative is forgetful at age 80, it may not be part of aging, but of disease,” she told Fox News Digital.
Christopher Weber of the Alzheimer’s Association, who was not involved in the study, called the results “exciting” and said they could help shape strategies for preventing cognitive decline.
Researchers stressed that the “super ager” group was small, mostly well-educated and White, and self-selected into the study—meaning they may have been healthier or more engaged than average older adults.
Still, the data supports the idea that healthy lifestyle choices, social engagement, and possibly genetics all contribute to brain resilience.
Weintraub summed it up simply: “What is good for your heart is good for your brain—eat well, sleep well, exercise, and stay socially connected.”
Read next:
- Live to 100 with this simple diet change—centenarians’ secret revealed!
- Over 50? This is the fruit neurologists want you to eat more often
