SuperAgers' Brain Secret: Double Neuron Growth Key to Sharp Memory in 80s and 90s
A groundbreaking study has uncovered a biological secret behind the exceptional memory and mental clarity observed in "SuperAgers," individuals in their 80s and 90s who maintain cognitive abilities comparable to much younger adults. Published in the journal Nature, this research reveals that SuperAgers produce twice as many young neurons as cognitively healthy older adults and about 2.5 times more than those living with Alzheimer's disease, suggesting the aging brain retains a remarkable capacity for self-regeneration.
Enhanced Neurogenesis and Brain Plasticity
Dr. Tamar Gefen, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, emphasized that the findings demonstrate the brain's ongoing plasticity even in advanced age. Unlike mature neurons, which are stable, young neurons are highly adaptable, growing, integrating, and forming new connections more easily. SuperAgers preserve a greater number of these "immature" neurons, giving their brains a more youthful quality that supports cognitive performance.
The study also identified stronger cellular support systems within the hippocampus, the brain region responsible for memory. This enriched environment nurtures new neurons and promotes neurogenesis, the process of generating and sustaining new brain cells. Senior author Orly Lazarov, a neuroscience professor at the University of Illinois Chicago, noted that SuperAgers actually had more newly developed neurons than adults in their 30s and 40s, describing their neurogenesis profile as a sign of resilience against age-related decline.
Key Brain Structures and Lifestyle Factors
Brain tissue analysis provided further insights, showing that SuperAgers have a thicker cingulate cortex, a region linked to attention and motivation, compared with people decades younger. Their hippocampus contains significantly fewer tau tangles, a key marker of Alzheimer's disease, and neurons in the entorhinal cortex, one of the first areas affected by Alzheimer's, appeared unusually large and structurally robust.
While genetics may play a role, lifestyle choices are also crucial. Dr. Richard Isaacson of the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Florida, who was not involved in the study, highlighted evidence that diet, regular exercise, stress reduction, quality sleep, and managing vascular health can promote brain growth and reduce Alzheimer's hallmarks like tau tangles and amyloid plaques. SuperAgers often share traits such as staying mentally engaged through reading or learning new skills, remaining socially active, and continuing to work or volunteer well into their 80s.
Advanced Research Techniques and Critical Cell Types
The study utilized a cutting-edge technique called multiomic single-cell sequencing, allowing scientists to examine different cell types across donor brains, including SuperAgers, younger adults, healthy older adults, and individuals with dementia. Results highlighted two cell types as critical to memory preservation: astrocytes and CA1 neurons. CA1 neurons help store and retrieve experiences and are typically among the first damaged in Alzheimer's disease, while astrocytes, which regulate blood flow and support neuron communication, played an enhanced supportive role in SuperAger brains.
Researchers concluded that the coordination between immature neurons, CA1 circuits, and astrocytes creates a rich biological environment that protects memory and cognitive strength into advanced age. This offers new insight into how certain brains resist aging effects, potentially guiding future strategies for promoting healthy brain aging and combating neurodegenerative diseases.
