Cellular clues explain why some octogenarians stay mentally sharp
TL;DR Summary
A study of self-described “SuperAgers”—people over 80 with exceptional memory—shows they have more newly formed neurons and a hippocampal environment that supports neurogenesis, along with thicker attention-related brain regions and fewer tau tangles than typical aging. Using multiomic single-cell sequencing across donor brains, researchers found astrocytes and CA1 neurons drive memory retention, suggesting that a combination of genetics and brain-healthy lifestyle supports sustained cognition into advanced age.
- ‘SuperAgers’: Scientists discover a key to staying mentally sharp in old age CNN
- Human hippocampal neurogenesis in adulthood, ageing and Alzheimer’s disease Nature
- Super-Agers’ Brains Have a Special Ability, New Study Suggests The New York Times
- Superagers' brains have a 'resilience signature,' and it's all about neuron growth Medical Xpress
- Not genetics: The common trait of clear-minded 80-year-olds The Jerusalem Post
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