Brains That Defy Time
People in their 80s and 90s with exceptional memory, known as “SuperAgers,” produce significantly more new brain cells than their peers, according to a new study published in Nature. Researchers found SuperAgers generate roughly twice as many young neurons as cognitively healthy older adults and about 2.5 times as many as individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Tamar Gefen of Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine said the findings demonstrate that the aging brain retains the ability to regenerate. Young neurons are especially adaptable and plastic, meaning they can integrate into brain circuits more effectively than mature neurons.
In fact, researchers reported that SuperAgers showed even more newly developed neurons than adults in their 30s and 40s, suggesting remarkable resilience against age-related cognitive decline.
A Supportive Brain Environment
The study identified a uniquely supportive cellular ecosystem within the hippocampus, the brain region responsible for memory. This environment appears to nurture immature neurons in a way that sustains cognitive performance into advanced age.
SuperAgers also displayed thicker cingulate cortices, an area associated with attention and motivation, and significantly fewer tau tangles in the hippocampus compared with typical older adults. Tau tangles are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
Earlier research had already revealed unusually large and structurally robust neurons in the entorhinal cortex of SuperAgers, an area often affected early in Alzheimer’s disease. The new findings suggest these structural advantages may be reinforced by enhanced neurogenesis and synaptic support.
New Tools Reveal Cellular Drivers
The research team used multiomic single-cell sequencing, a cutting-edge method that examines gene expression at the level of individual cells. This approach allowed scientists to compare brain tissue from five groups: SuperAgers, healthy younger adults, cognitively typical older adults, individuals with early dementia and those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Two cell types emerged as central contributors to memory resilience: CA1 neurons and astrocytes. CA1 neurons play a critical role in consolidating and retrieving memories, while astrocytes regulate blood flow and help form synapses, the connections that enable communication between neurons.
In SuperAgers, these cells appear to work in coordination, strengthening synaptic signaling and fostering an enriched environment that supports ongoing neurogenesis.
Beyond Genetics
While genetics may play a role, researchers note that lifestyle factors are also linked to brain health. Prior studies suggest that regular exercise, balanced nutrition, stress reduction, adequate sleep and management of cardiovascular risk factors can help maintain hippocampal volume and reduce biological markers associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
To qualify as a SuperAger, individuals must be over 80 and demonstrate exceptional episodic memory through rigorous cognitive testing. Many maintain active social lives, pursue intellectual challenges and remain engaged in work or volunteer activities well into later life.
Although not all SuperAgers follow ideal health routines, the biological signatures in their donated brain tissue provide compelling evidence that exceptional cognitive aging is supported by measurable cellular mechanisms.