"Super" Ager

"Superagers" is a term used to describe older adults who exhibit cognitive abilities comparable to those significantly younger than them, often in their 20s and 30s. This remarkable group has been the subject of much research to understand the factors that contribute to their resilient cognitive aging. Here’s how superagers differ from the normal aging population:

Cognitive Performance:

• Superagers perform exceptionally well on memory tasks, attention, problem-solving, and other cognitive tests where performance typically declines with age.

Brain Structure:

• Imaging studies have shown that superagers often have thicker cortices (the outer layer of the brain involved in complex thinking), more significant volumes of the hippocampus (a region crucial for memory), and less age-related atrophy compared to typical older adults.

Neurological Health:

• Superagers tend to have fewer neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques, which are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease, suggesting a lower risk for developing dementia.

Social Networks:

• Research has indicated that superagers might have more satisfying, high-quality social relationships compared to their peers, which could contribute to their superior cognitive performance.

Genetic Factors:

• There may be genetic variations that confer resilience to the brain changes typically associated with aging. Studies have begun to explore genetic markers that might be more prevalent in superagers.

Lifestyle Factors:

• Superagers might engage in more physical activity, have healthier diets, and partake in more intellectually and socially stimulating activities than the average person of the same age.

Mental Health:

• They often have lower rates of psychiatric conditions like depression and anxiety, which can negatively affect cognitive function.

Brain Connectivity:

• Superagers might have more effective and efficient brain networks, allowing them to process information more quickly and accurately.

Attitudes and Outlook:

• Some superagers demonstrate a positive outlook on life, resilience, and a strong sense of purpose, traits that are associated with better health and longevity.

Inflammation:

• They tend to have lower levels of inflammation, which is linked to numerous age-related diseases and cognitive decline.

Metabolic Health:

• Superagers often have better metabolic profiles, with lower rates of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, which are risk factors for cognitive decline.

Genetic luck, lifestyle choices, environmental factors, or a combination thereof likely contributes to becoming a superager. By studying superagers, scientists hope to uncover strategies that could help others maintain cognitive function into old age. The ultimate goal is not just to extend life but to increase the number of years that are lived in good health, sometimes referred to as “healthspan.”