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Unlocking the Secrets of “SuperAgers”: Brains That Keep on Generating
CHICAGO, IL – Ever wonder why some folks seem to defy the hands of time when it comes to their memory? A groundbreaking new study might just have the answer, revealing that a special group of older adults, affectionately dubbed “SuperAgers,” are generating fresh brain cells at a rate that would make their peers green with envy.
New findings released this Wednesday by the University of Illinois Chicago and Northwestern University shed light on the incredible cognitive resilience of these octogenarians and beyond. It turns out their brains are buzzing with at least twice as many new neurons in the hippocampus – the brain’s memory hub – compared to typical aging adults. This could be the biological blueprint for their exceptional memory and sharp minds, even well past their 80th birthdays.
For decades, Northwestern has been on the trail of SuperAgers, defining them as “extraordinary individuals aged 80 and above whose memory performance rivals that of people three decades younger.” They use specialized memory recall tests to pinpoint these brainy individuals.
In this latest deep dive, researchers meticulously analyzed post-mortem brain tissue, examining nearly 356,000 individual cell nuclei. Their focus: the hippocampus, a crucial area for forming new memories, learning, and spatial navigation. The team compared tissue from SuperAgers, typical older adults, those with early dementia/Alzheimer’s, and younger healthy adults.
The results were remarkable: SuperAgers were found to produce at least double the number of new neurons compared to “cognitively normal” older adults and those showing signs of Alzheimer’s pathology. Beyond the new cells, the study also uncovered that specific changes in brain support cells (astrocytes) and key memory cells (CA1 neurons) are intricately linked to preserved cognitive ability, helping to keep those minds remarkably keen with age.
“SuperAgers have more immature neurons and neuroblasts in the hippocampus, which is an indication of stronger neurogenesis when compared with other groups,” explained study co-author Changiz Geula, a research professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He added that certain cells in their hippocampus show unique gene expression patterns related to neuronal function and transmission, contributing to their superior cognitive abilities.
Published in the prestigious journal Nature, these findings offer a tangible explanation for what researchers have long observed. “We’ve always said that SuperAgers show that the aging brain can be biologically active, adaptable and flexible, but we didn’t know why,” stated co-author Tamar Gefen, an associate professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “This is biological proof that their brains are more plastic, and a real discovery that shows that neurogenesis of young neurons in the hippocampus may be a contributing factor.”
Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, who was not involved in the study, underscored the significance of these discoveries, noting signs of plasticity and regeneration in SuperAgers.
“It confirmed not only preservation of brain tissue in the hippocampus, which is crucial for memory and cognition, but also regeneration and increased development of brain cells in that area,” he remarked. Dr.
Siegel believes this pivotal research could pave the way for future cell gene treatments to foster more SuperAgers and enhance early identification for clinical management.
While acknowledging the study’s reliance on single-point tissue samples as a limitation, the researchers emphasized the thorough analysis of each case. Geula highlighted that while direct translation to everyday activities isn’t immediate, the findings strongly suggest that cognitive resilience is tied to the overall health and integrity of multiple brain systems.
His advice for maintaining a sharp mind in old age? “Maintaining good overall health by keeping systemic diseases in check, maintaining a healthy diet and exercise, and ensuring the elderly remain mentally active assume more importance.”
This groundbreaking research was supported by the National Institute on Aging, a division of the National Institutes of Health.