Study Finds Superagers Over 80 Have 4-5 Times More Key Neurons as Memory Stays Decades Younger
Updated
Updated · New Scientist · Jun 16
Study Finds Superagers Over 80 Have 4-5 Times More Key Neurons as Memory Stays Decades Younger
1 articles · Updated · New Scientist · Jun 16
Summary
Emily Rogalski said superagers—people over 80 with memory matching those in their 50s or 60s—show unusually preserved brain regions tied to recall despite advanced age.
MRI and autopsy work found larger cortices and hippocampi, a thicker anterior cingulate cortex, and 4-5 times more Von Economo neurons in that region, which Rogalski links to attention and memory.
Postmortem results also show many superagers carry less tau, but some still have heavy Alzheimer’s-related pathology without the expected cognitive impairment, suggesting resilience rather than simple genetic protection.
Across 5 sites in the US and Canada, Rogalski’s team tracks participants every 2 years and says the clearest shared trait is strong social connection, while diet and exercise patterns vary widely.
Rogalski argues social engagement may help slow decline even in Alzheimer’s, making regular connection—such as calling a friend instead of listening to music—her main practical advice for healthier aging.
How do superager brains defy the biological signs of Alzheimer's disease?
Could your social life be the most powerful way to build a younger brain?
Defying Cognitive Decline: How SuperAgers Maintain Youthful Memory into Their 80s and Beyond
Overview
SuperAgers are older adults who maintain exceptional memory and cognitive abilities, challenging the belief that significant cognitive decline is inevitable with age. Recent scientific discoveries have revealed that SuperAgers show robust hippocampal neurogenesis, meaning their brains continue to form new cells even in later life. Researchers have identified genetic markers for neural stem cells, neuroblasts, and immature neurons, indicating the brain’s ongoing capacity for renewal. The presence and maturation of these cells suggest that the aging brain can remain active and resilient, offering new hope for understanding and potentially preventing age-related cognitive decline.