“SuperAgers” Generate Twice as Many Brain Neurons, Groundbreaking Study Reveals

Older adults with exceptional memory capabilities, known as “SuperAgers,” produce at least twice as many neurons in the hippocampus compared to their peers of the same age, according to groundbreaking research from the University of Illinois Chicago and Northwestern University.

The study, published in the journal Nature, provides biological evidence explaining why some individuals maintain remarkable cognitive abilities well into their 80s and beyond. Northwestern University has spent decades studying these extraordinary seniors, defining SuperAgers as individuals aged 80 and above whose memory performance rivals that of adults three decades younger.

“We’ve always said that SuperAgers show that the aging brain can be biologically active, adaptable and flexible, but we didn’t know why,” explained Tamar Gefen, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “This is biological proof that their brains are more plastic, and a real discovery that shows that neurogenesis of young neurons in the hippocampus may be a contributing factor.”

Researchers analyzed post-mortem brain tissue – examining nearly 356,000 individual cell nuclei – with particular focus on the hippocampus, a brain region essential for forming new memories, learning, and spatial navigation. The team compared tissue samples from SuperAgers to those from typical older adults, seniors with early dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, and younger healthy adults.

The findings revealed that SuperAgers generated at least twice as many new neurons as cognitively normal older adults and those with Alzheimer’s pathology. Additionally, researchers observed that changes in certain brain support cells (astrocytes) and key memory cells (CA1 neurons) correlated with preserved cognitive function.

Study co-author Changiz Geula, research professor at Northwestern University, told Fox News Digital, “SuperAgers have more immature neurons and neuroblasts in the hippocampus, which is an indication of stronger neurogenesis when compared with other groups. The study also showed that specific cells in the hippocampus show unique gene expression profiles that relate to neuronal function and transmission and are associated with superior cognitive function.”

This research represents a significant advancement in understanding cognitive resilience with age. The SuperAgers also demonstrated different genetic activity patterns in their brains compared to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, potentially providing new targets for therapeutic interventions.

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst who was not involved in the study, noted its importance: “It confirmed not only preservation of brain tissue in the hippocampus, which is crucial for memory and cognition, but also regeneration and increased development of brain cells in that area.”

The implications could be far-reaching for future treatment approaches. “This is an important study because it may lead to certain cell gene treatments that could lead to more SuperAgers,” Dr. Siegel added. “It may also lead to more advanced testing to determine who will be a SuperAger and guide clinical treatment and management.”

The researchers acknowledged certain limitations to their work, primarily that the study relied on tissue samples taken at a single point rather than tracking changes over time. Geula noted that studies using human brain tissue typically involve fewer cases than animal research, though he emphasized that each case in this study was analyzed thoroughly.

While the findings don’t translate directly to changes in everyday life and activities, they strongly suggest that cognitive resilience is associated with greater integrity across multiple brain systems.

“This implies that attending to brain health is crucial for maintaining cognitive function in old age,” Geula explained. “Thus, maintaining good overall health by keeping systemic diseases in check, maintaining a healthy diet and exercise, and ensuring the elderly remain mentally active assume more importance.”

The study was funded by the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health, and provides promising directions for future research into maintaining cognitive health throughout the aging process.