Super-agers’ brains stay young into old age. New research brings us closer to understanding why

“Super-agers” are individuals over 80 years old with the cognitive memory of someone half their age.
Despite typical brain aging processes, super-agers exhibit remarkably well-preserved cerebral cortices and cingulate cortices.
Although not necessarily highly intelligent or academic achievers, super-agers generally display high energy, a clear sense of purpose, and active social lives.
The presence of neurofibrillary tangles, typically harmful to memory, does not impact super-agers’ memories due to genetic factors like the APOE2 gene variant.
Super-agers’ brains continue to generate neurons throughout life, specifically in areas such as the hippocampus, which is crucial for memory and learning.
Lifestyle, including mental activity, diet, and exercise, plays a role in brain health and can influence the brain’s capacity to generate and maintain resilient neurons.
Understanding the reasons behind super-agers’ brain resilience could potentially lead to new methods for preserving cognitive health in aging populations.

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