Source: Fox News
Summary
A recent study by the University of Illinois Chicago and Northwestern University found that “SuperAgers” – individuals over 80 with exceptional memory and cognitive resilience – produce at least twice as many new neurons in the hippocampus as their typical aging peers. The study analyzed post-mortem brain tissue from SuperAgers, typical older adults, and those with early dementia/Alzheimer’s, and found that SuperAgers had different genetic activity patterns in their brains. The findings suggest that neurogenesis of young neurons in the hippocampus may be a contributing factor to SuperAgers’ superior cognitive function.
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The advice sounds familiar. This study’s findings on the importance of neurogenesis in the hippocampus for cognitive resilience are reminiscent of previous research on the topic. The discovery of increased neurogenesis in SuperAgers’ brains is a significant one, but it also raises questions about the potential for developing treatments that promote neurogenesis in older adults. The study’s limitations, including its reliance on tissue samples taken at one specific point, highlight the need for further research in this area.
One wonders if the concept of “SuperAgers” will become the new benchmark for healthy aging, and whether the pursuit of neurogenesis will become the next big trend in brain health. As the study’s authors note, maintaining good overall health, including a healthy diet and exercise, and ensuring the elderly remain mentally active, assumes more importance in the context of these findings. The question remains: can we all become SuperAgers?
Author: Evan Null
