White matter in superagers' brains is less prone to aging and cognitive decline

Aging often brings cognitive decline, particularly in memory function, and is linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. However, a unique group of older adults known as “superagers” defy this trend, maintaining memory comparable to much younger individuals. Recent research analyzing the white matter of superagers over a 5-year period found that, despite comparable overall white matter health with typical older adults, superagers exhibited superior microstructure in specific frontal region fibers, suggesting resistance to age-related cognitive decline. This study sheds light on how superagers may preserve their cognitive abilities.

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That’s fascinating! I’ve always been curious about what sets superagers apart. How do these specific frontal region fibers in their brains contribute to maintaining memory? And are there any lifestyle factors or habits that might help enhance or preserve these brain structures in the rest of us?