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New study reveals key lifestyle factors associated with “SuperAgers”
Researchers in Spain have conducted the largest observational study to date on “SuperAgers” — individuals in their 80s whose brains perform as well as those 30 years younger. The study found that SuperAgers had more gray matter in brain regions related to movement, as well as higher scores in agility, balance, and mobility tests compared to typical older adults. Surprisingly, the physical activity levels of both groups were similar, suggesting that SuperAgers may engage in more physically demanding activities such as gardening or stair climbing.
The study, conducted as part of the Vallecas Project in Madrid, followed 64 SuperAgers and 55 cognitively normal older adults. The SuperAgers in the study reported lower levels of depression and anxiety, which are known risk factors for developing dementia. They cited being more active in midlife, sufficient sleep, and independence in daily living as contributing factors to their exceptional cognitive abilities. In contrast, poor sleep is a key risk factor for cognitive decline.
The findings of this study provide insight into SuperAgers’ brains and lifestyles and offer encouraging news for individuals in their 30s and 40s who may wish to improve their long-term brain health. Dr. Jo Robertson, national screening and trials coordinator for the Australian Dementia Network, emphasized the importance of modifying lifestyle factors such as increasing physical fitness, reducing cardiovascular risk, optimizing mental health, and obtaining appropriate care for mood disorders in midlife to improve brain health.
SuperAgers constitute a small percentage of the population over 80 who exhibit exceptional episodic memory and perform as well as cognitively normal individuals in their 50s and 60s. These individuals have a thicker cortex, which is responsible for thinking, decision-making, and memory, and their cortex shrinks at a slower rate than that of individuals in their 50s and 60s. The SuperAging project, carried out by Northwestern SuperAging program, defines SuperAgers as individuals over 80 who undergo extensive cognitive testing to confirm their superior memory abilities. Only 10% of applicants meet the criteria.
SuperAgers share common traits, including positivity, daily mental challenges through reading or learning, work engagement into their 80s, active social lives, and physical activity. The Spanish study revealed that SuperAgers had greater gray matter volume in brain regions associated with cognitive functioning, spatial memory, and overall memory. Notably, they were equally likely to have Alzheimer’s risk genes as typically aging adults, indicating that additional protective factors such as genetic, lifestyle, or positive emotional outlook may help offset these risk factors.
Angela Roberts, an assistant joint professor at Western University, stressed that SuperAgers’ lower risk of developing dementia is not the primary takeaway from this study. Instead, it is their potential possession of protective mechanisms that act on known dementia risk factors, which could minimize age-related cognitive decline and brain changes. The study highlights the importance of further examining SuperAgers to uncover these protective mechanisms and reduce dementia risk.
This study provides valuable insights into the lifestyles of SuperAgers and their unique brain characteristics. It serves as a reminder for individuals to prioritize physical activity, stress reduction, and other healthy habits to improve long-term brain health.
