Alzheimer's disease and other dementias are on the rise, but certain habits may help protect cognitive functions in old age. Research on so-called “super-agers,” people aged 80 years and older whose cognitive abilities are comparable to those of much younger people, provides valuable insights. Dr. Lee A. Lindquist, geriatrician at Northwestern Medicine, has identified the key traits and habits of SuperAgers that may contribute to their resilience to age-related cognitive decline.

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Who are SuperAgers?

SuperAgers are people aged 80 years and older whose cognitive functions are comparable to those of an average middle-aged person. MRI studies show that SuperAgers lose less brain volume — around 1.06% per year compared to the typical 2.24% — which could offer some protection against dementia.

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Essential lifestyle habits of SuperAgers

1. Active lifestyle

It's important to stay physically active. Regular exercise, even if only twice a week, can increase the risk of alzheimer to fall ill, lower. Physical activity promotes heart health, muscle strength, and weight management — important factors as a higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease.

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2. Mental stimulation

SuperAgers regularly challenge their minds. This can happen as a result of activities such as reading unfamiliar literature or engaging in new hobbies. Mental activity keeps the brain active and can slow down cognitive decline.

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3. Strong social ties

Strong social ties are another common feature of SuperAgers. They often have stable social networks, and studies show that they have more economo neurons associated with social processing than their peers. Even though a strong social network can't guarantee that you won't get Alzheimer's, it's an important part of a healthy lifestyle.

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4. Moderate tolerance

Interestingly enough, SuperAgers are not strict abstainers. Many enjoy moderate alcohol consumption, which has been linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease. Moderation is key, however, as excessive alcohol consumption is a risk factor for dementia.

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Additional preventive measures

Knowledge of risk factors for Alzheimer's disease can also serve as a basis for preventive measures. While some factors such as age, family predisposition and gender cannot be influenced, others can be changed by lifestyle choices. For example, the MIND diet - a mixture of Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet - promote brain health. This diet focuses on whole, unprocessed foods, such as fish, vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, and moderate wine consumption.

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Although there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, the habits and lifestyle of SuperAgers offer a hopeful approach to maintaining cognitive health into old age.