A new study published in the Journal of Neuroscience on April 23, 2026, reveals why some 80-year-olds, known as 'superagers,' have memory performance comparable to people 30 years younger. Researchers at Northwestern University found that superagers have larger, healthier neurons in the entorhinal cortex, a brain region critical for memory, compared to typical older adults.
The study, led by Dr. Tamar Gefen, examined brain tissue from 10 superagers and 10 age-matched controls. Superagers' entorhinal cortex neurons were significantly larger and showed less tau protein tangles, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. This suggests a biological resilience that protects against age-related memory decline.
Previous research from the same team, published in 2023, had shown superagers have thicker brain regions and better connectivity. The new findings pinpoint cellular-level differences that may explain their exceptional memory. The study also found that superagers' brains had fewer signs of inflammation and amyloid plaques.
Dr. Gefen noted that these findings could lead to new therapies targeting neuronal health to preserve memory in aging. However, the study is small and observational, so more research is needed to confirm the mechanisms and develop interventions.
