Study Finds Key Differences in Lifestyle of “SuperAgers” with Sharper Minds in Their 80s
A recent observational study conducted in Spain has revealed key differences in the lifestyle of “SuperAgers” – individuals in their 80s with brains as sharp as those 30 years younger. This study, the largest of its kind, offers insights into the factors that may contribute to the exceptional cognitive abilities of these older adults.
The researchers discovered that SuperAgers had more gray matter in areas of the brain associated with movement compared to typical older adults. Furthermore, they performed better on agility, balance, and mobility tests, despite having similar levels of physical activity as the control group.
Senior author Bryan Strange, director of the Laboratory for Clinical Neuroscience at the Technical University of Madrid, suggested that SuperAgers may engage in more physically demanding activities, such as gardening or stair climbing, despite reporting similar activity levels to typical older people. He also highlighted the numerous direct and indirect benefits of physical activity, including lower blood pressure, reduced obesity levels, and increased blood flow to the brain, which may contribute to improved cognitive abilities in old age.
The study, published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity journal, followed 64 SuperAgers and 55 cognitively normal older adults as part of the Vallecas Project, a long-term research project on Alzheimer’s disease in Madrid. The results revealed that SuperAgers scored lower than typical older adults in levels of depression and anxiety, known risk factors for developing dementia. They also reported being more active in midlife, having satisfactory sleep, and being independent in daily living – all factors associated with better cognitive health.
According to Angela Roberts, an assistant joint professor at Western University, SuperAging is not solely the ability to perform well on cognitive tests. It is also linked to slower brain atrophy in critical regions for memory and language and slower age-related declines in walking and mobility. Roberts, an investigator of the Northwestern SuperAging Research Program, emphasized the importance of incorporating exercise, stress reduction, and other healthy habits in midlife to improve long-term brain health, as indicated by the study.
SuperAgers are individuals over 80 who undergo extensive cognitive testing. To be accepted as a SuperAger, a person’s memory must be as good as or better than cognitively normal individuals in their 50s and 60s, with only 10% of applicants meeting this criterion. SuperAgers are known for their positive attitude, daily mental challenges, continued learning, and remaining socially active. They also exhibit physical activity, as supported by the recent study.
The brain scans conducted in the Spanish research showed that SuperAgers had greater gray matter volume in brain regions responsible for cognitive functioning, spatial memory, and overall memory compared to typical older adults. These regions are associated with mental sharpness and memory retention. The study also found that SuperAgers were equally likely to have the APOE4 gene, a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, as normally aging adults.
Dr. Jo Robertson, national screening and trials coordinator for the Australian Dementia Network, emphasized that the study’s findings are good news for individuals in their 30s and 40s who aim to enhance their health. Robertson recommended modifying lifestyle factors, such as increasing physical fitness, reducing cardiovascular risk, optimizing mental health, and seeking appropriate care for mood disorders, to improve long-term brain health.
The study’s findings reinforce the importance of understanding SuperAgers and the factors that contribute to their exceptional cognitive abilities. By identifying these protective mechanisms, scientists may be able to develop strategies to minimize the risk of age-related cognitive decline and brain changes.