You may have heard of the Blue Zones—regions where people live significantly longer and maintain better health well into their later years. There are five such zones globally, with Loma Linda, California, being the Blue Zone in the United States. By studying these areas, researchers have gained valuable insights into how to live longer and healthier lives.
Building on this research, a groundbreaking study at Northwestern University has been running for 25 years, taking a deeper look at not just physical longevity but also cognitive resilience. The focus is on a group they call Superagers—people who are over 80 years old yet possess the memory skills of someone decades younger, in their 50s or 60s. This study aims to unlock the mysteries of memory, aging, and even the human spirit.
The participants in this study have remarkable memories. While they live diverse lives, they all share an extraordinary ability to retain information. The definition of a Superager is quite specific: someone over 80 with the memory performance of a person 30 years their junior.
What’s particularly fascinating is that many of the participants have agreed to donate their brains for research after they pass away. Currently, the study follows about 110 active Superagers. Each year, researchers assess them for memory, language, problem-solving abilities, and much more. Brain scans (MRIs) and blood samples are also taken in an effort to find biomarkers that may explain their cognitive longevity.
One of the tests used to evaluate memory is simple but revealing. Participants are read a list of 15 words multiple times. After a 30-minute delay, they are asked to recall the words. A typical 50-year-old might remember 8 or 9 of them, but a Superager will recall 14 or 15—and they continue to do so year after year. It’s important to note that these participants aren’t even enrolled in the study until they reach 80 years old!
In addition to memory tests, the researchers have been studying the Superagers’ personalities and lifestyles. Interestingly, Superagers tend to be more extroverted. Their diets are also being closely examined, as diet and exercise play key roles in successful aging.
Perhaps most intriguing are the physical differences found in the Superagers’ brains posthumously. Their neurons, particularly in the hippocampus (the area associated with memory), are larger and healthier. Moreover, they have lower levels of tau protein, which is commonly associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
While this research is still ongoing, one thing is clear: adopting lifestyle habits from Superagers, especially those in the Blue Zones, could be your best bet for maintaining a sharp mind and a healthy body as you age. Your brain will thank you!
(Source: Reporter Northwestern, Fall 2024)
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