Superager Brains: The Secret to Staying Sharp as a Tack

Have you ever heard of “superagers“?

These are older adults who have exceptional memory and thinking skills, even as they age.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could all be superagers and retain our memory and cognitive capacities—regardless of the number of candles on our birthday cake?

Let’s look at what makes these folks stand out…and how you too can retain your “sharpness” in your golden years.

A new study looked at the brains of superagers over 5 years and compared them to other older adults.

They found that superagers had healthier connections between brain cells in certain parts of the brain, especially in the frontal lobe. Researchers think this might be why superagers can avoid the memory problems that often happen as people age.

In the study, researchers looked at the brain scans of 64 superagers and 55 typical older adults. They measured factors like the amount of white matter (the connections between brain cells) and any signs of damage.

At first, superagers did better on memory tests, but over time, both groups showed similar declines in memory. However, superagers had a slower decline in a test called “animal fluency,” where you name as many animals as you can in one minute.

The study found that superagers had better-preserved white matter in certain brain areas, especially in the front of the brain. This means that the connections between their brain cells stayed healthier over time.

So, what can we learn from superagers about keeping our brains healthy as we get older?

The researchers found that superagers had better physical health, mental health, and were more interested in hobbies, like music. While these things don’t guarantee becoming a superager, they certainly could help with healthy aging.

Other experts suggest that good sleep, exercise, social interaction, and mental challenges (like reading and puzzles) are also important for brain health. The more you use your brain, the more likely you are to keep it sharp.

It’s true, some people might be born with a better chance of becoming a superager—but we can all take steps to keep our brains healthy as we age. By taking care of our physical and mental health, doing activities that challenge our brains, and spending time with others, we can give ourselves the best chance of staying sharp well into old age.

So, as you grow older, remember that keeping your mind active is just as important as staying physically healthy. By following the example of superagers, you can work towards having a strong, healthy brain at any age!

To a healthy, resilient brain at any age,

Rachel Mace
Managing Editorial Director, e-Alert
with contributions from the research team

P.S. Kitchen staple preserves your brain health.

Sources:

Marta Garo, PhD, et al. (2023). White matter in superagers’ brains is less prone to aging and cognitive decline. The Journal of Neuroscience. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/white-matter-in-superagers-brains-is-less-prone-to-aging-and-cognitive-decline#How-to-preserve-brain-health-as-we-age