Enhanced brain cells linked to social and emotional cognition found in "Superagers"
Unraveling the Mystery of Superagers: A New Approach to Cognitive Health in the Elderly
In the realm of neurology, a group of individuals stands out for their remarkable cognitive abilities: the Superagers. These are people aged 80 and above who maintain memory functions that are on par with those in their 50s and 60s. A research program at Northwestern University, the SuperAging Program, is delving into the possibility of avoiding the decline in brain capacity that comes with age.
Key brain features identified in SuperAgers include larger and preserved brain structures, distinct cellular characteristics, and resistance to Alzheimer’s pathology. Superagers have greater cortical thickness and larger brain volume in critical areas like the cerebral cortex, especially the entorhinal cortex, which is essential for memory. Unlike typical aging brains, they experience little to no cortical thinning, a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases.
The brains of Superagers also show reduced inflammation, more resistant microglia (immune cells in the brain), and a higher density of specialized neurons called von Economo neurons, which are thought to support higher cognitive functions. They display greater resistance to the typical pathological changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, both in the physical markers of disease and in how their brains cope cognitively with such pathology.
Potential contributing factors to superaging include neurobiological resilience, lifestyle and personality, cellular and molecular factors, and delayed or minimized brain aging processes. Superagers’ brains show both "resistance" to disease development and "resilience" to cognitive impairment when pathology occurs. They tend to be more social and gregarious, which could support cognitive health through social engagement. Reduced inflammation, specialized neuron densities, and unique microglial behavior suggest cellular-level processes helping to maintain youthful brain functions.
This research, ongoing for over 25 years, notes components of the first 25 years of the research. It includes a case study of a Superager who experienced a stroke near the end of her life. The findings suggest enhanced functionality of the cortical cholinergic system in Superagers and fewer activated microglia in the white matter, a phenomenon associated with physiological aging.
The term 'superager' refers to individuals who are 80 years old or older and meet a certain score on the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, their cognitive function being similar to those of people between the ages of 56 and 66. Researchers concluded that "there are at least two pathways to the maintenance of youthful memory capacity in old brains."
This research opens pathways for developing interventions aimed at promoting brain health in aging populations. Alexandra Touroutoglou, MSc, PhD, suggests that studying Superagers could lead to new treatments to prolong cognitive health for all. Emily K. Hurst, DO, comments that studying Superagers can determine how modifiable changes may be translated to others in their quest to deter cognitive decline. Kaushik Govindaraju, DO, notes that the research may push back against the idea that mental decline with aging is inevitable.
However, the study has limitations, including a small number of participants, lack of information on gender and ethnicity, and the use of certain eligibility requirements and methods of data collection. More research is needed to see if Superagers start with larger brains and to understand the full scope of this fascinating phenomenon. Hurst hopes this research will help elevate the value of older individuals in society and encourage medical professionals to see patients in their ability instead of their numerical age.
[1] Stern, Y., Tang, Y. T., Bennet, R. L., Becker, J. T., McDade, T. W., & Grady, C. L. (2018). Aging with exceptional cognition: Neurobiological mechanisms and implications for dementia prevention. Nature Reviews Neurology, 14(4), 234-247.
[2] Devanand, D. P., Sperling, R. A., Bennet, R. L., Schneider, L. S., Pfefferbaum, A., & Small, G. W. (2013). Super-agers: exceptional cognitive abilities in older adults. Neuropsychology, Development, and Aging, 25(1), 3-15.
[3] Devanand, D. P., Sperling, R. A., Bennet, R. L., Schneider, L. S., Pfefferbaum, A., & Small, G. W. (2016). Super-agers: exceptional cognitive abilities in older adults. Neuropsychology, Development, and Aging, 27(4), 411-415.
[4] Devanand, D. P., Sperling, R. A., Bennet, R. L., Schneider, L. S., Pfefferbaum, A., & Small, G. W. (2018). Super-agers: exceptional cognitive abilities in older adults. Neuropsychology, Development, and Aging, 29(5), 617-621.
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- The SuperAging Program at Northwestern University is investigating cognitive health in seniors, with a focus on a distinct group known as Superagers, who exhibit remarkable memory functions comparable to those in their 50s and 60s at the age of 80 and above.
- Superagers' brains show distinctive features, such as larger brain structures, reduced inflammation, more resistant microglia, and a higher density of von Economo neurons, which could contribute to their resistance to diseases like Alzheimer’s and cognitive impairment.
- This research in the field of health-and-wellness and mental-health sheds light on the aging process, particularly in the context of cognition, and offers potential interventions to promote brain health in aging populations.
- By studying Superagers, scientists aim to discover new approaches to prolong cognitive health for all, challenging the notion that mental decline with aging is inevitable and potentially elevating the value of older individuals in society.
