Scientists Find 'Superagers' Have Key Gene Protecting Memory

Scientists just discovered why some people in their 80s and 90s have memories as sharp as people decades younger.

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center studied "superagers," people 80 and older who retain cognitive abilities that rival those of much younger adults. They found these exceptional individuals are 68% less likely to carry APOE-ε4, a gene variant that dramatically increases Alzheimer's risk.

The findings go even further. Superagers were also 19% less likely to carry the risky gene compared to cognitively normal people in their same age group, not just those with dementia.

"Although all adults who reach the age of 80 without receiving a diagnosis of clinical dementia exhibit exceptional aging, our study suggests that the superager phenotype can be used to identify a particularly exceptional group," said Leslie Gaynor, who led the research.

The study also revealed that many superagers carry APOE-ε2, a protective variant of the same gene that seems to shield the brain from Alzheimer's disease. This dual discovery offers hope that genetic factors might one day guide preventive treatments.

Superagers don't just avoid disease. They actively maintain mental sharpness, staying engaged with complex thinking and memory tasks that younger people sometimes struggle with.

Why This Inspires

This research transforms our understanding of aging itself. For decades, cognitive decline seemed like an inevitable part of growing older, but superagers prove that exceptional brain health is possible well into our final decades.

The discovery opens doors for future treatments targeting genetic risk factors. If scientists can understand how APOE-ε2 protects the brain, they might develop therapies that mimic its effects for everyone.

Even more inspiring is what this means for the 80-year-olds thriving today. These superagers aren't just lucky outliers. They're living proof that our brains can maintain remarkable abilities throughout our lives, rewriting the narrative about what aging has to mean.

For anyone worried about their cognitive future, this research delivers genuine hope grounded in science.