{"id":19341,"date":"2025-09-20T13:00:17","date_gmt":"2025-09-20T17:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/?p=19341"},"modified":"2025-09-16T06:48:19","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T10:48:19","slug":"how-80-year-old-superagers-maintain-the-brain-of-50-year-olds-according-to-science","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/health\/how-80-year-old-superagers-maintain-the-brain-of-50-year-olds-according-to-science-19341\/","title":{"rendered":"How 80-year-old “SuperAgers” maintain the brain of 50-year-olds, according to science"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most people expect memory to fade with age, as brain shrinkage, slower recall, and difficulty concentrating are part of getting older. But some older adults defy that expectation. Known as “SuperAgers<\/strong>“, they reach their 80s and beyond with brains that function like people decades younger.<\/p>\n

Researchers at Northwestern University’s SuperAging Program<\/a> have been studying this rare group for more than 25 years. Led by experts like Tamar Gefen, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, the program has revealed remarkable differences in the brains of SuperAgers compared with their peers<\/strong>. Here’s what science has discovered so far and what it might mean for the rest of us.<\/p>\n

The science behind SuperAgers<\/h2>\n

To qualify as a SuperAger in the Northwestern program, someone over 80 must score as well or better on memory tests than adults in their 50s and 60s<\/strong>. Fewer than 10% of people screened meet that standard. Those who do often show striking brain features that protect memory and attention.<\/p>\n

Studies of donated brain tissue have shown that SuperAgers maintain thicker cingulate cortex regions. This area is linked to attention and motivation, and in SuperAgers it looks healthier than in much younger adults<\/strong>. They also have far fewer tau tangles in the hippocampus, the brain’s memory center. Tau tangles are one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease, so having fewer appears to protect cognitive ability<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Another unique trait is the size of neurons in the entorhinal cortex. This brain region, critical for learning and memory, is usually one of the first affected in Alzheimer’s. Yet in SuperAgers, the neurons are not only intact but unusually large<\/strong>, even larger than those in adults in their 30s. That suggests their brain cells are structurally stronger and more resilient.<\/p>\n

On a behavioral level, SuperAgers often share a few lifestyle characteristics. They tend to stay highly social<\/strong>, maintaining connections and actively engaging with their communities<\/strong><\/a>. They value independence and continue making their own choices. While their diets<\/a> and exercise habits vary\u2014some even include regular alcohol\u2014their sense of autonomy and connection stands out.<\/p>\n

Researchers are also examining the role of brain inflammation. In SuperAgers, immune cells called microglia show fewer signs of hyperactivity. That suggests their brains are less inflamed and more efficient at handling stress and disease<\/strong>. This lower inflammatory response may help preserve brain function into advanced age.<\/p>\n

How to support your brain as you age<\/h2>\n

Not everyone will meet the rare biological profile of a SuperAger, but there are ways to protect brain health and lower the risk of cognitive decline. Research points to these suggestions:<\/p>\n