As we age, cognitive decline is often an unfortunate reality. Memory, attention, and executive function all tend to decline with age. However, a small group of people known as superagers seem to be immune to this decline.
What Makes Superagers Different?
Researchers have found that superagers have some unique brain characteristics, including:
- Increased thickness in the cortex, the outer layer of the brain responsible for higher-order thinking.
- Increased connectivity between different brain regions.
- Reduced inflammation in the brain.
These differences may help superagers to maintain their cognitive function as they age. A 2018 study published in the journal Neurology found that superagers had greater structural connectivity in the white matter tracts that connect different brain regions, which may help them to compensate for age-related decline in other brain regions.
Lifestyle Factors
In addition to their unique brain characteristics, superagers also tend to have certain lifestyle factors in common. A 2019 study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine found that superagers were more likely to be physically active, have a healthy diet, and engage in mentally stimulating activities such as reading, writing, and playing games.
Can We All Become Superagers?
While there is no guaranteed way to become a superager, there are some things you can do to improve your chances of maintaining your cognitive function as you age. These include:
- Exercising regularly.
- Eating a healthy diet.
- Engaging in mentally stimulating activities.
- Staying socially active.
If you are concerned about your cognitive health, talk to your doctor. They can assess your risk of cognitive decline and recommend steps you can take to reduce your risk.
Kind regards
D. Dammeroff.
