A study called Rates of Cortical Atrophy in Adults 80 Years and Older with Superior Versus Average Episodic Memory was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association on April 4.
Senior author Emily Rogalski, associate professor at Northwestern University’s Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center, in Evanston, Ill., presented the findings of her team’s study at this year’s Cognitive Aging Summit, in Bethesda, Md., on April 6.
The study showed that SuperAgers, anyone who is 80 or older and whose memory is as strong as the average 50- to 65-year-old, and who scores as well or better than peers on other cognition tests, lose brain volume more slowly than their peers who are aging normally. This slower rate of decreasing brain volume seems to protect them from dementia.
Earlier research into the brains of SuperAgers showed they have a thicker brain cortex than most people their age, but it wasn’t clear whether that was because they had a larger brain to begin with or whether they experienced slower rates of decline in brain mass. Emily and her team at Northwestern University were able to show evidence SuperAgers lost less brain volume than normally aging adults.
Most people experience some cognitive decline as they age. For some reason, however, SuperAgers don’t fit into that mold. The study showed SuperAgers lost only 1.06 percent of their brain volume per year, while normally aging adults lost 2.24 percent annually. Their study lasted 18 months, over which time they followed 24 SuperAgers and 12 cognitively average elderly adults.
Most of the SuperAgers were white women with a mean age of 83.3 at the beginning of the study. The mean age of the cognitively average group was 83.4. All 36 participants were tested at the beginning of the study and 18 months later.
Emily said their findings suggest, “SuperAgers are resistant to the normal rate of decline” that they see in average elderly people. They believe it may be helpful in the search for an effective treatment or cure for Alzheimer’s to seek out the biological factors or bodily processes protecting people from brain loss and resulting dementia. Knowing what protects some people could provide clues in how to help protect others.
At Home Care Assistance, we work to help older adults maintain and strengthen their cognitive ability. By eating foods rich in nutrients, getting healthy amounts of exercise and sleep, maintaining a mentally stimulating and socially enriched lifestyle, while also avoiding hazardous habits and toxins, it is possible for us to promote long-term brain health for more independent, healthy lives.
Caregivers at Home Care Assistance are available for daily and hourly care to help support your healthy lifestyle and care for your loved one’s needs. Home Care Assistance offers different levels of expert care, and embraces the belief that aging adults can age in place and remain independent longer, giving you and your family peace of mind.
To see how our caregivers can help your loved one thrive, contact Amanda Butas, your Mesa client care manager, at (480) 699-4899. To receive a free book on Living Happy to 102, you also can visit us at our new office, located at 2031 N. Power Road, Suite 103, which is right near Bed Bath and Beyond, on Power and McKellips roads.