Health
What Sets Super-Agers’ Brains Apart After 80?
Health Points
- Super-agers over 80 maintain memory as sharp as people decades younger.
- Strong social connections and a unique brain cell type may play important roles.
- Staying mentally engaged and active supports brain health at any age.
Some people defy typical age-related memory decline and remain mentally sharp well into their 80s and beyond. Scientists refer to them as super-agers, and new research sheds light on what makes their brains so special.
For 25 years, Northwestern University researchers have studied these exceptional individuals and discovered that strong social engagement is a hallmark trait. “Super-agers are actively engaged with others, showing warmth and enthusiasm,” says Tamar Gefen, PhD, a specialist at Northwestern.
Super-agers show a higher density of von Economo neurons, a rare brain cell type found in highly social mammals. “These special cells are only found in highly social mammals, including apes, elephants, whales, and humans, and they’re thought to be key in social behaviors,” says Gefen.
Autopsies revealed that the area of the brain housing these neurons, the anterior cingulate cortex, is not just preserved but often thicker than in much younger adults. “This brain region is part of the circuit that allows us to pay attention, engage, and have motivation to acquire information,” she adds.
Why super-agers have more of these neurons isn’t clear, but some scientists suspect a genetic advantage. There are two identified types of super-ager brains: some resist the development of amyloid and tau protein plaques, while others develop them but aren’t affected.
Despite assumptions, super-agers don’t necessarily lead perfectly healthy lifestyles. “Some super-agers do not demonstrate amazing behaviors in mid-life or in late life. For example, some drink alcohol regularly, smoke a pack of cigarettes a day, or sleep less than the recommended amount,” says Gefen.
However, their active and engaged lives stand out. Recent studies, such as the U.S. POINTER trial, suggest that brain health in aging benefits from regular exercise, cognitive challenges, a nutritious diet, and health monitoring.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all path to becoming a super-ager, staying curious, involved in your community, and nurturing social bonds can help keep your mind agile through the years.
Discover more tips to nurture a healthy brain and thrive with age.
