Memory loss has long been viewed as a normal part of getting older. But for some people, memory remains exceptionally sharp.
For 25 years, scientists at Northwestern University in Chicago have been studying these so-called super-agers — people over age 80 whose memory matches that of someone 20 to 30 years younger — to better understand what sets their remarkable brains apart.
Caring seems to be a key component of super-aging. Compared with their cognitively average peers, super-agers are the opposite of apathetic, says Gefen; they are actively engaged with other people and activities.
They are notably more gregarious, enjoy being around others, and consistently score higher on extroversion and traits like warmth, sociability, and enthusiasm in personality tests. In general, super-agers also tended to view their relationships with others in a more positive light.
The Brain Cells That Make Super-Agers Special
The sociability that sets super-agers apart from their cognitively normal peers may be linked to brain differences — specifically, a higher density of a type of nerve cell called von Economo neurons.
“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.
“The von Economo neurons are found in large-brained animals that engage in social, communicative, or affiliative behaviors, like caring for their peers, caring for children.”
After conducting more than 70 post-mortem autopsies, the Northwestern researchers discovered that in super-agers, the area of the brain that houses the von Economo neurons, called the anterior cingulate cortex, isn’t just preserved — it’s often thicker than what’s found in people 20 or 30 years younger, says Gefen.
“This brain region is part of the circuit that allows us to pay attention, engage, and have motivation to acquire information,” she says.
“When we looked at the post-mortem brain samples under the microscope, we found an abundance of these — like really jam-packed, like sardines in a can,” says Gefen.
The “why” behind that finding isn’t clear. Researchers suspect that super-agers may be born with a higher number of these neurons.
These findings fit with other studies showing the connection of von Economo neurons with frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer’s, says Luke Kim, MD, a geriatric medicine physician at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
“However, it’s too early to say that van Economo neurons could be a biological marker for successful aging,” says Dr. Kim, who wasn’t involved in the Northwestern study.
2 Types of Super-Ager Brains: Resistant and Resilient
Brain scans and post-mortem exams showed that some of the super-ager brains contained clumps of amyloid and tau proteins (also known as plaques and tangles), which are known to play key roles in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Other super-ager brains didn’t develop any of these clumps.
“One is resistance: they don’t make the plaques and tangles. Two is resilience: They make them, but they don’t do anything to their brains,” said Dr. Weintraub.
Are Healthy Habits Essential to Become a Super-Ager?
You might expect super-agers to live a life that revolves around brain-healthy habits — blueberries, crossword puzzles, and meditation — but that’s not the case.
“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.
That definitely doesn’t mean that healthy habits don’t matter, it just suggests there’s not one particular lifestyle that’s associated with super-aging, she says.
Super-agers also weren’t any healthier than the average person. They took about the same number of medications that would be expected for their age.
The common thread was that super-agers stayed mentally engaged, socially involved, and emotionally expressive, whether through community work, conversation, or hobbies they’re passionate about.
Ways to Keep Your Brain Healthy, Super-Ager or No
While there doesn’t appear to be any special protocol that will guarantee super-ager status, there may be ways to keep your brain as healthy as possible, says Gefen.
Recent results from a randomized controlled study (called the U.S. POINTER trial) found that lifestyle changes could help protect thinking and memory from normal decline, she says. Though Gefen was not involved in that study, she found the results promising.
Physical Exercise They aimed to get 30 to 35 minutes of moderate-to-intense aerobic activity four times a week, plus strength and flexibility exercises twice a week.
Cognitive Exercise They used a computer-based brain training program three times a week for 30 minutes, plus regular engagement in other intellectually challenging and social activities.
Nutrition They followed an eating plan like the MIND diet, which emphasizes dark leafy greens, berries, nuts, whole grains, olive oil, and fish, and limits sugar and unhealthy fats.
Health Monitoring They got regular check-ins on blood pressure, weight, and lab results.
Read the full article here