DECADES of research from the Northwestern University SuperAging Program have uncovered that some individuals over 80, dubbed “SuperAgers”, maintain memory abilities and brain structures comparable to people in their 50s and 60s, resisting the typical decline associated with ageing. These findings upend assumptions that cognitive deterioration is an inevitable part of later life.
Traditionally, cognitive ageing has been viewed as a steady decline, with most older adults experiencing gradual memory loss and brain shrinkage over time. The SuperAging programme challenges this narrative by identifying and studying people in their eighth decade and beyond whose memory scores match much younger adults. Understanding what sets SuperAgers apart holds promise for developing interventions to support healthy brain ageing in the wider population.
Over 25 years, scientists assessed individuals aged 80 and above, classifying those who scored at least 9 out of 15 on a delayed word recall test as SuperAgers. Brain imaging and post mortem examination revealed that these individuals have cortical volumes similar to those in their 50s and 60s, with a notably thicker anterior cingulate cortex than even younger adults. Unlike their peers, SuperAgers showed fewer Alzheimer’s-type changes, larger memory-associated entorhinal neurons, less neuroinflammation, and a higher density of von Economo neurons, which are linked to complex social behaviour. Interestingly, despite diverse lifestyles and exercise habits, most SuperAgers reported strong interpersonal relationships and high sociability, suggesting psychosocial factors may also play a role.
The discovery of the SuperAger phenotype opens important avenues for both research and clinical care. By shifting focus from average decline to exceptional resilience, clinicians can better counsel patients and support strategies to maintain cognitive health well into old age. Further studies are needed to unravel the genetics, lifestyle, and neurobiological mechanisms underpinning SuperAging, with the aim of translating these insights into interventions for the broader ageing population.
Reference
Weintraub S et al. The first 25 years of the Northwestern University SuperAging Program. Alzheimer’s Dement. 2025; 21:e70312.
