Some people defy expectations when it comes to aging. Known as Super Agers, these rare individuals maintain memory capacity and cognitive fitness comparable to adults decades younger. While many people experience age-related decline or even symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease by their 70s or 80s, Super Agers often show no such signs or minimal age-related changes.
Scientists studying Super Agers believe they hold important clues for protecting brain health, reducing risk of chronic disease, and extending both healthspan and lifespan.
What Defines a Super Ager?
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The term “Super Ager” was popularized by the Northwestern University SuperAging Program, a leading research program focused on older adults who maintain unusually strong memory into their 80s and beyond.
Research shows Super Agers:
Score at or above the level of middle-aged adults on standard memory tests.
Display larger and more resilient regions of the cortex—the brain’s outer layer involved in memory and decision-making.
Possess unique von Economo neurons (also known as spindle neurons), which are thought to support rapid decision-making and social processing.
Exhibit resistance to age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans confirm that Super Agers’ brains show fewer signs of thinning compared to peers, offering compelling insights into how the brain can resist decline.
How SuperAgers Live | Lifestyle Factors That Protect Cognitive Fitness
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While genetics and family history play a role, scientists emphasize that lifestyle factors contribute significantly to Super Aging. Many of the habits that help Super Agers thrive also protect against neurodegenerative diseases and chronic disease more broadly.
1. Physical Activity
Regular exercise is consistently linked to better brain health and reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Physical activity also strengthens the immune system and supports an overall long life.
2. Diet
A nutrient-rich, Mediterranean-style diet contributes to optimal brain health by reducing inflammation and protecting neurons.
Certain foods may help maintain cognitive fitness by supporting circulation and reducing oxidative stress.
3. Sleep
Adequate, restorative sleep is essential for memory consolidation and brain repair.
Poor sleep is linked to increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
4. Social Engagement
Super Agers tend to maintain meaningful relationships, which are known to protect both mental health and cognitive function.
5. Mental Challenges
Lifelong learning, problem-solving, and new experiences help the brain form connections and maintain resilience.
What Super Agers Teach Us About Aging
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By studying Super Agers, researchers at Northwestern University and other institutions are uncovering new ways to extend cognitive health for all adults. The science shows that maintaining optimal brain health requires a combination of lifestyle habits and, in some cases, targeted interventions.
Though not everyone can become a Super Ager, insights from this research program can help reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, protect memory, and support a higher quality of life.
Supporting Brain Health with Sharpen
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For those looking to apply cutting-edge science to daily life, supplementation can complement lifestyle changes. Sharpen by Tally Health was designed to support cognitive fitness and protect against age-related decline in brain health. By combining clinically studied nutrients that enhance focus and memory, Sharpen offers a science-based way to maintain strong mental performance as you age.
When combined with healthy habits like exercise, good sleep, and a balanced diet, Sharpen is designed to help you respond to the natural challenges of aging and sustain your brain health well into later decades.
Takeaway
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Super Agers remind us that it’s possible to maintain exceptional cognitive fitness and live decades longer with a strong mind. While genetics matter, lifestyle factors such as physical activity, diet, sleep, and social engagement play a powerful role in preserving brain health.
By learning from cutting-edge science—and incorporating tools like Sharpen by Tally Health—we can all take steps toward protecting memory, preventing Alzheimer’s disease, and promoting both longevity and quality of life.
What is a Super Ager?
A Super Ager is an older adult, often in their 80s or beyond, who maintains memory capacity and cognitive fitness comparable to people decades younger, showing minimal signs of age-related decline.
How do Super Agers keep their brains healthy?
Super Agers often follow lifestyle habits such as regular physical activity, a Mediterranean-style diet, adequate sleep, meaningful social engagement, and mental challenges like lifelong learning.
What can we learn from Super Agers?
Research on Super Agers shows that it’s possible to maintain strong memory and resist age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s through a mix of genetics, lifestyle factors, and interventions that support brain health.
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References
Garo-Pascual et al. Brain structure and phenotypic profile of superagers compared with age-matched older adults: a longitudinal analysis from the Vallecas Project. Lancet Healthy Longev 2023; https://doi.org/10.1016/s2666-7568(23)00079-x
Weintraub et al.The first 25 years of the Northwestern University SuperAging Program. Alzheimers Dement 2025; https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.70312
Keenan et al. Intrinsic functional connectivity strength of SuperAgers in the default mode and salience networks: Insights from ADNI. Aging Brain 2024; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbas.2024.100114
Maher et al. Neuropsychological Profiles of Older Adults with Superior versus Average Episodic Memory: The Northwestern "SuperAger" Cohort. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2022; https://doi.org/10.1017/s1355617721000837
Topol. Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity. Simon & Schuster 2025.
