Older people classified as “superagers” generate at least twice as many neurons in the hippocampus as typical older people, a new study has found.
These findings, published Wednesday by the University of Illinois at Chicago and Northwestern University, may help explain why superagers have extraordinary memories and superior abilities. cognitive resilience Even if you are well over 80 years old.
Northwestern University has been studying superagers for decades and defines superagers as “extraordinary individuals over the age of 80 whose memory is comparable to that of people 30 years younger.” Researchers use a special memory recall test to make this determination.
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The study analyzed postmortem brain tissue (approximately 356,000 individual cell nuclei), focusing on the hippocampus, which is essential for forming new memories and supporting learning and spatial navigation.
They compared the tissues of superagers, who are typical older adults. senior citizen Early dementia/Alzheimer’s disease and young healthy adults.
Researchers found that superagers generate at least twice as many new neurons compared to “cognitively normal” older adults and older adults. Alzheimer’s disease pathology.
They also found that changes in certain brain support cells (astrocytes) and key memory cells (CA1 neurons) are associated with maintenance of cognitive abilities and help keep the brain sharp as we age.
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There were also differences in superagers. genetic activity patterns Their brains compared to Alzheimer’s patients.
“Superagers have more immature neurons and neuroblasts in the hippocampus, indicating stronger neurogenesis than other groups,” study co-author Changiz Guerra, research professor of cell and developmental biology and neuroscience at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, told FOX News Digital.
“This study also shows that certain cells in the hippocampus exhibit unique gene expression profiles related to neuronal function and communication,” superior cognitive function. ”
The results of this study were published in the journal Nature.
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“We’ve always said that superagers indicate that the aging brain may be biologically active, adaptive, and flexible, but we didn’t know why,” co-author Tamar Geffen, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and neuropsychologist at Northwestern University’s Meshulam Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease, said in the release.
“This is biological evidence that their brains are more plastic, a real finding that shows that neurogenesis of young neurons in the hippocampus may be contributing.”
Dr. Mark Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News, commented that the study found signs of plasticity and regeneration in superagers.
“It not only confirmed the preservation of brain tissue in the hippocampus. memory and cognitionBut there was also an increase in regeneration and development of brain cells in that area,” Siegel, who was not involved in the study, told FOX News Digital.
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“this is important study This is because it could lead to specific cell gene therapies that could cause more superagers,” the doctor said. “It could also lead to more advanced testing to determine who becomes superagers and guide clinical treatment and management.”
This study had several limitations, primarily that the study relied on tissue samples taken at specific time points rather than tracking changes over time.
Geura noted that studies using human brain tissue typically involve fewer cases than animal studies, which could be a limitation. However, he emphasized that each case in the study was thoroughly analyzed.
“While these findings cannot be directly extrapolated to changes in daily life or activity, they suggest that cognitive resilience is associated with increased integrity of many brain systems,” he told FOX News Digital. “This means that taking care of your brain health is important for maintaining cognitive function as you age.”
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“Therefore, controlling systemic diseases and maintaining good health can maintain overall health. healthy eating We believe it is more important to exercise and ensure that older people are mentally active. ”
This study was funded by the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health.
