Study Unlocks Secrets to ‘SuperAgers’ Better Brain Health
New findings reveal how these “SuperAgers” keep their minds sharp.
“SuperAgers” are individuals who are above the age of 80, and who exhibit cognitive capabilities comparable to or better than those in their 50s and 60s.
Experts explain how you can strive to be a “SuperAger,” too.
Doing everything you can to better brain health now can make a big difference as we age. Now, new research shows how a certain group of individuals became “SuperAgers” and steps you can take to become one, too.
A study published in The Lancet Health Longevity journal looked at what SuperAgers had in common, and what they were doing differently than their less mentally sharp peers. The study followed 64 SuperAgers and 55 cognitively normal older adults who were part of the Vallecas Project, a long-term research project on Alzheimer’s in Madrid.
SuperAgers exhibited higher gray matter volume throughout their brains. Gray matter in the brain corresponds to the regions where neurons primarily reside, and these are the areas that will atrophy in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease, explains Christian Camargo, M.D., assistant professor of cognitive and memory disorders neurology at the University of Miami Health System. “To have more gray matter suggests that these individuals are somehow able to maintain these vital brain regions.”
Along with more gray matter volume, the SuperAgers scored higher on agility, balance, and mobility tests than typical older adults—even though the physical activity levels of the two groups were the same. Researchers determined that while SuperAgers reported similar activity levels to typical mature adults, it’s possible they do more intensive physical exercise that makes their bodies work harder.
Still, the question was how are these SuperAgers able to maintain vital brain regions? After a series of tests, the SuperAgers scored lower than typical older adults in levels of depression and anxiety. Studies have shown that depression and social isolation are key risk factors for developing dementia.
SuperAgers also told researchers they had been more active in midlife, had been happy with the amount of sleep they got (Research has shown that poor sleep can increase your risk of Alzheimer’s), and were independent in their daily living.
So, what is a SuperAger?
As it relates to this study, SuperAgers are individuals who are above the age of 80, and who exhibit cognitive capabilities comparable to, or better than, those in their 50s and 60s, says Patrick Porter, Ph.D., neuroscience expert and founder of BrainTap. “Only around 10% of those who apply for such studies qualify.”
SuperAgers are characterized by exceptional episodic memory—the ability to recall everyday events and personal experiences—and at least average performance on other cognitive tests, says Porter. “These individuals tend to remain intellectually active, maintain a positive attitude, and often engage in regular physical activity.”
Keep in mind, this study noted that the SuperAgers did not have a difference in IQ than non-SuperAgers, which was somewhat surprising—and that SuperAgers had a similar percentage of ApoE4+ individuals (the most common genetic association with Alzheimer’s risk) to non-SuperAgers, which was also somewhat of a surprise, notes Dale Bredesen, M.D., neuroscience researcher and neurodegenerative disease expert.
What does it mean to have more gray matter volume in the brain?
The human brain is comprised of both gray and white matter, explains Porter. “Gray matter, which is more densely packed with cell bodies of neurons, is primarily responsible for processing information and controlling perception, emotions, decision-making, and self-control,” Porter says. Having a higher volume of gray matter, particularly in certain areas of the brain, is associated with higher cognitive abilities, he notes.
In the context of SuperAgers, this study found that these individuals had greater gray matter volume than typical older adults in areas linked to cognitive functioning, spatial memory (ability to remember different locations as well as spatial relations between objects), and overall memory, suggesting that this could be a key factor in their preserved cognitive abilities, says Porter.
How do SuperAgers preserve their brain health longer than others?
The mechanisms that help certain individuals preserve their cognitive abilities and brain health well into their older years are a complicated mix of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors, and are not completely understood, says Porter. Nevertheless, certain recurring patterns and behaviors are seen among SuperAgers that set them apart from other groups.
The study highlights that there seem to be both modifiable factors as well as genetic factors that play a role in the SuperAger status, says Dr. Camargo. “For example, these individuals tended to have higher physical activity in their mid-life, better sleep satisfaction, and reported lower depression and anxiety,” Dr. Camargo explains. And, the fact that SuperAgers perform well regardless of the presence of genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s Disease suggests there are inherent protective factors that need to be explored more, notes Dr. Camargo.
The bottom line
The association of healthy lifestyle choices (like physical activity and getting enough sleep) with healthy aging, especially when started earlier in life, suggests that it’s never too early to begin making better decisions about our health, says Dr. Camargo.
While not everyone will develop dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other neurodegenerative diseases, everyone will age, and this study suggests some individuals will age more “successfully” than others, notes Dr. Camargo. “Therefore, anything associated with building cognitive resilience such as promoting healthy cognitive aging through lifestyle modification should be looked at closely, regardless of an individual’s baseline dementia risk,” he explains.
It’s important to remember that we’re often told (sometimes by our physicians) that aging means you can expect to experience cognitive decline, but this study shows that this is not necessarily the case, says Dr. Bredesen. “Many people stay very sharp well into their 80s and beyond.”
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