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Biological brain signature in ‘superagers’ may help protect memories
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Superagers are less susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease and higher von Economo neuron density in the anterior cingulate cortex may protect memories, according to a study.
“The brains of superagers have a unique neuroanatomic signature,” Tamar Gefen, MS, of the Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Northwestern University, told Healio.com/Psychiatry.
For the purpose of this study, Gefen and colleagues defined “superagers” as those aged 80 years and older with memory function similar to or better than those aged between 20 and 30 years younger. The researchers sought to assess the in vivo structural features of the cingulated cortex among a cohort of superagers and performed a histologic analysis of this region in postmortem specimens. They recruited 18 middle aged controls (aged 50-65), 31 superagers and 13 age-matched average elderly individuals as controls. Neither age nor education differed between superagers and controls (P > .05). The male-to-female ratio was even across all groups.
According to study findings, results of MRI imaging indicated the anterior cingulate cortex of 31 superagers was thicker than elderly people with normal cognitive performance and the middle-aged controls (P < .01).
Further, when the researchers specifically analyzed the brain matter of five superagers, they found that the anterior cingulate cortex had 87% fewer neurofibrillary tangles, which are primary markers of Alzheimer’s disease, when compared to five age-matched controls and 92% less than those with mild cognitive impairment. Compared with age-matched controls and those with mild cognitive impairment, superagers had 3 to 5 times higher amounts of von Economo neurons — linked to higher social intelligence, according to a press release.
“As research continues on superagers, scientists will be able to uncover specific factors (genetic, molecular, psycho-social) that contribute to outstanding memory in old age — this will be important for the purpose of developing treatments for dementia,” Gefen said.
Disclosure: Gefen reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.