While many have hypothesized that memory loss and cognitive decline are inevitable parts of aging, new research suggests that it doesn’t have to be.
A 25-year Northwestern University study analyzed the brains of “superasters” to determine the characteristics they may share. Psychological resilience.
“Superager” is defined as people Over 80 years old Researchers say that people exhibit “good memory performance” on par with those who are 30 years younger.
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“‘Superager’ is a term defined in Northwestern based on memory test scores for those over 80, not conditions,” Sandra Weintraub, professor of psychiatry, behavioral science and neurology at Fainberg School of Medicine Northwest University, told Fox News Digital Digital.
“We were interested in aging memory because memory decline is the most common complaint among older people. In many ways it can be “super” and this is just one. ”
In this study, researchers analyzed 79 brains donated by super-agers and identified several important differences compared to people of “typically” age.
Some of the brains contained amyloid and tau proteins, which are usually Alzheimer’s diseasethe other brain showed no signs of these toxins.
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“Some superagingrs have very few of these proteins, so for some reason they don’t make them,” pointed out Weintraub. “However, we found that the brains of some ultra-old people contain a large number of these proteins despite the sustained proteins. Cognitive Health Until I die. ”
This means there may be different biological pathways for super-aging. “One resistance and another resilience,” she said.
In the resistance group, they do not tangle with plaque, Weintrob said. In resilience groups, they make them, but they have nothing Their brain effects.
The brain, which is normally aging, shows cortical thinning. This is the outer layer of the brain that helps regulate decision-making, motivation and emotions, but the brains of ultra-old people did not show this characteristic.
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It was also found that super-agers possess many of the “von econoco neurons,” brain cells that control social behavior. Researchers also found that the group had larger “insect neurons.” This is essential for moving memories, the release says.
From a behavioral perspective, it was found that if super-agers were strong, they were “very social.” Interpersonal relationshipsaccording to the survey results.
“There is a general assumption that aging implicitly leads to cognitive decline and that short-term memory loss is part of “normal aging,” Prime Minister Sandra Weintraub, professor of psychiatry and neurology at Northwest Medicine, told Fox News Digital.
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“The truth is, on average, there is a decline in cognitive test scores, but the variation between individuals within that average span increases and increases with age,” she continued.
“That means loss is inevitable and if your relative is 80 and unforgettable, it may not be Part of agingbut ill. ”
Dr. Christopher Weber, senior director of the Global Science Initiative at the Alzheimer’s Disease Association in Chicago, was not involved in the study, but commented on the “exciting” findings.
“This will increase our understanding of the brain as people age and provide insight into what is resilient or resistant to age-related brain changes,” Weber told Fox News Digital.
This study shows that super-agers have “more conserved brain structures.” This resembles many young adults.
“The findings suggest that cognitive decline is not an inevitable part of aging, especially for individuals who have more protective factors to maintain brain health and cognition,” he said.
However, Weber noted that the “super-aged” research population is small and does not represent real-world populations.
“They are mostly educated and white,” he said. “The group was also self-selected for the study. These individuals were More health-conscious Or they are more cognitively involved than the average older person. ”
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Still, this finding could help scientists develop more and better strategies to treat and prevent cognitive decline.
“The more you learn about successful aging, the more opportunities you have to discover and create interventions to increase resistance and resilience.”
Helps reduce the risk factors that affect Brain healthWeintrobe said, “What is good for your heart is good for your brain.”
“We know about specific recruitments Changes in lifestyle It reduces the risk of bad outcomes, but it is not guaranteed to eradicate it,” she told Fox News Digital.
“That being said, eat well, sleep well, exercise, socialize, cherish social relationships, deal with and distant any state you can handle Hazardous substances. ”
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This study was supported by the National Institutes of Northwest Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and the National Institutes of Health.
The findings were published in the Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: The Alzheimer’s Disease Association Journal.
