Are YOU a ‘superager’? Why you could hole the key to treating dementia
As we get older, it’s normal to forget where you put your keys or to mix up the names of your grandchildren.
But a select group of people, known as ‘superagers’, have as good a memory as those 30 years younger.
Now, scientists have discovered how they maintain this excellent recall – raising hopes of a treatment for dementia.
As we get older, it’s normal to forget where you put your keys or to mix up the names of your grandchildren. But a select group of people, known as ‘superagers’, have as good a memory as those 30 years younger
Experts from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid carried out a five-year study comparing the brain structures of superagers to that of older adults experiencing typical memory loss.
They discovered significant structural differences suggesting that the integrity of white matter, which allows brain regions to communicate with each other, was healthier in superagers.
Their findings suggest that superagers have better preservation of white matter in the brain.
Understanding the mechanisms behind this structural difference may be an important next step in developing treatments to protect memory in those of us who do not naturally have them in place, the team said.
Writing in the Journal of Neuroscience, they said: ‘Episodic memory is one of the cognitive abilities more vulnerable to ageing.
‘Although memory normally declines with age, some older people may have memory performance similar to that of people 30 years younger, and this phenomenon is often conceptualised as superageing.
‘Understanding the superager phenotype can provide insights into mechanisms of protection against age-related memory loss and dementia.’
Separate research has also revealed that superagers have a thicker region of the brain called the cingulate cortex, which is considered important for memory, attention and motivation.
The term ‘superager’ can also refer to someone in their 70s or 80s who has the physical capabilities of their decades-younger counterparts.
Previous studies have found that older people who regularly exercise at high intensity can have the aerobic capacity of people 30 years younger.
Experts have suggested that embracing mental challenges such as crossword puzzles, mathematical games or even assembling flat-packed furniture can help boost the chances of becoming a superager.
WHAT IS DEMENTIA?
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological disorders
A GLOBAL CONCERN
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders (those affecting the brain) which impact memory, thinking and behaviour.
There are many types of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common.
Some people may have a combination of different types of dementia.
Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience dementia in their own unique way.
Dementia is a global concern but it is most often seen in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live into very old age.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?
The Alzheimer’s Society reports there are more than 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK today. This is projected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, affecting between 50 and 75 per cent of those diagnosed.
In the US, it’s estimated there are 5.5 million Alzheimer’s sufferers. A similar percentage rise is expected in the coming years.
As a person’s age increases, so does the risk of them developing dementia.
Rates of diagnosis are improving but many people with dementia are thought to still be undiagnosed.
IS THERE A CURE?
Currently there is no cure for dementia.
But new drugs can slow down its progression and the earlier it is spotted, the more effective treatments can be.
Source: Alzheimer’s Society
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