SuperAgers memory secrets revealed

A Short Wave episode examines why memory stays sharp in some people aged 80 and over and what scientists have learned from decades of study.

SuperAgers reveal memory secrets defying age

A Short Wave episode looks at why memory stays sharp in a small group of people aged 80 and older. It notes that the brain generally slows with age and healthy brains shrink, but a cohort called SuperAgers maintains memory skills typical of people in their 50s or 60s. The episode points to Northwestern University SuperAging Program and a long-running research effort summarized in the journal Alzheimer s Dementia. Listeners are invited to share health and aging story ideas by emailing shortwave@npr.org and to explore Short Wave Plus for ad-free listening.

SuperAgers offer a hopeful picture of aging but they also highlight limits in how we study memory. The findings rest on a specific group and long-term observation, which may not reflect the broader population. Yet the format of a long-running program shows how patient, repeated measurements can yield usable clues for everyday cognitive health. The story also underscores the need for clear, cautious messaging so readers do not mistake an exceptional case for a universal rule.

Highlights

Aging science is a marathon, not a sprint.