Superagers retain sharp minds into their 80s and beyond, defying the idea that cognitive decline is inevitable as we age. A 25-year study of these enviable few now reveals some of what's special about their underlying neurology.

"It's really what we've found in their brains that's been so earth-shattering for us," explains Northwestern University clinical neuropsychologist Sandra Weintraub.

Weintraub and colleagues found superagers' brains are oddly resistant to the buildup of Alzheimer's-related protein clumps and tangles. These individuals also have a higher concentration of one specific type of neuron in a critical region of their brain, and exhibit less inflammatory activity in their white matter compared to the general aging population.

Although the findings need to be validate

See Full Page