Highlights
- SuperAgers are people 80 and older with the memory of people decades younger.
- Their brains show less shrinkage and some unique features.
- Strong social relationships are a common thread.
- Curiosity, purpose, and embracing challenge also stand out.
Most of us expect our memory to slip a little as we get older. We assume that by our 80s, recalling names, details, and new information will be harder than it was decades ago. And for many people, that's true.
But some people seem to defy the odds. In their 80s and beyond, they have memories as sharp as people 20 or 30 years younger. Scientists call them SuperAgers, and studying them is revealing exciting clues about how the brain can stay healthy with age. This article explains what SuperAgers are, what makes their brains different, and what the rest of us can learn from them.
What Is a SuperAger?
The term "SuperAger" was popularized by researchers at Northwestern University in Chicago, who launched the SuperAging Research Program in the early 2000s. Led initially by neuroscientists including Marsel Mesulam and Emily Rogalski, the program studies people aged 80 and older whose memory performance matches or exceeds that of average people in their 50s and 60s.
To qualify as a SuperAger in their studies, participants must:
- Be 80 years of age or older
- Score on a demanding memory test at least as well as typical adults 20 to 30 years younger
- Have other thinking skills at least average for their age
SuperAgers are relatively rare. In the Northwestern program, only a small fraction of people who are screened meet the strict criteria.
What's Different About Their Brains?
Brain imaging and studies of donated brains have revealed some fascinating differences.
Thicker Cortex
The cortex is the brain's outer layer, responsible for thinking, memory, and decision-making. It usually thins with age. Northwestern researchers found that SuperAgers had a cortex that looked more like that of people in their 50s and 60s, with no significant thinning in key regions.
A Larger Anterior Cingulate
One area, the anterior cingulate cortex, was actually thicker in SuperAgers than in middle-aged adults. This region is involved in attention, motivation, and emotional and social processing.
Slower Brain Shrinkage
When researchers followed SuperAgers over time, they found that their brains lost volume much more slowly than the brains of typical older adults.
More Von Economo Neurons
Studies of donated brains found that SuperAgers had more of a special type of brain cell called von Economo neurons in the anterior cingulate. These cells are thought to be involved in social awareness and fast communication across the brain.
Healthier Memory Cells
Neurons in the entorhinal cortex, an area important for memory and one of the first affected by Alzheimer's, were larger in SuperAgers than in their peers, and even larger than in some younger people.
Fewer Tangles
SuperAgers tended to have fewer tau tangles, one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. Interestingly, some SuperAgers do have amyloid plaques yet stay sharp, suggesting their brains may be especially resilient.
What Do SuperAgers Have in Common?
One of the most interesting findings is that SuperAgers don't all live the same way. Some exercise intensely; others don't. Some follow healthy diets; others enjoy rich food. Some have advanced degrees; others don't. This suggests there's no single secret, and genetics likely plays a role.
But a few patterns stand out.
Strong Social Connections
The most consistent finding is that SuperAgers tend to have strong, satisfying relationships. In one study, SuperAgers reported more positive social relationships than their peers. They often describe themselves as social, outgoing, and engaged with friends and family.
Staying Active and Engaged
Many SuperAgers remain busy and involved in life, whether through work, volunteering, hobbies, travel, or community activities. They often describe a sense of purpose.
Lifelong Curiosity
Many SuperAgers are curious and keep learning. They read, take classes, play games, and seek out new challenges.
Embracing Challenge
Research from other groups, including a study at Massachusetts General Hospital led by Lisa Feldman Barrett, has suggested that pushing yourself through mentally or physically challenging tasks, even when they feel uncomfortable, may help keep certain brain networks strong.
Resilience
Many SuperAgers have faced significant hardships but describe themselves as resilient and optimistic.
Is It Just Genetics?
Genes likely contribute, and researchers are studying the genetics of SuperAgers. Some studies suggest SuperAgers are less likely to carry the APOE e4 gene variant linked with Alzheimer's risk. But genes aren't the whole story. Lifestyle and environment also appear to play important roles, and many of the habits SuperAgers share are within our control.
Lessons We Can All Learn
While not everyone can become a SuperAger, the research offers valuable lessons for keeping our brains as healthy as possible.
Prioritize Relationships
Make time for friends and family. Join groups, stay in touch, and nurture meaningful connections. Social engagement appears to be one of the strongest common threads among SuperAgers.
Keep Challenging Your Brain
Learn new skills, read widely, take up a new hobby, or challenge yourself with puzzles and strategy games. Brain-training games that adapt to your level are one way to keep pushing your memory and attention a little further each time.
Stay Physically Active
Although not all SuperAgers exercise intensely, physical activity is strongly linked with brain health in the broader population.
Find Purpose
Having a reason to get up in the morning, whether family, work, volunteering, or a passion project, is linked with better cognitive health.
Embrace Effort
Don't shy away from things that feel hard. Learning a language, mastering a new skill, or pushing through a challenging workout may be exactly what your brain needs.
Look After the Basics
Good sleep, a healthy diet, managing blood pressure and blood sugar, treating hearing loss, and avoiding smoking all support long-term brain health.
Changing How We Think About Aging
Perhaps the most powerful message from SuperAger research is that significant memory decline is not an inevitable part of growing old. SuperAgers show that the aging brain can remain remarkably sharp and resilient. Researchers hope that understanding what protects their brains could one day lead to new ways to prevent or treat Alzheimer's disease and other conditions.
Researchers are also studying SuperAgers in other countries and from a wider range of backgrounds, which should help show which traits are universal and which depend on culture, education, or environment. Every new finding adds to a more hopeful picture of what's possible in later life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How rare are SuperAgers?
They're uncommon. Only a small percentage of people over 80 meet the strict criteria used in research.
Can I become a SuperAger?
There's no guaranteed path, and genetics plays a role. But adopting their habits, like staying social, active, and mentally challenged, supports brain health for everyone.
Do SuperAgers do brain exercises?
Many remain mentally active through reading, learning, puzzles, and games, though there's no single routine they all follow.
What is the most important habit of SuperAgers?
Strong social relationships are one of the most consistent findings.
Key Takeaways
- SuperAgers are people 80 and older with the memory of people decades younger.
- Their brains show less shrinkage and some unique features.
- Strong social relationships are a common thread.
- Curiosity, purpose, and embracing challenge also stand out.
- SuperAgers show that major memory decline isn't inevitable with age.
SuperAgers remind us that growing older doesn't have to mean losing our mental edge. By staying connected, curious, and engaged, we can all give our brains their best chance to thrive.
This article provides general educational information and is not medical advice. A qualified healthcare professional can help you evaluate choices in relation to your health history, medications, and individual needs.