New Clues Reveal How 'Super-Agers' Keep Minds Sharp Into 80s and Beyond

Groundbreaking research uncovers the biological secrets behind exceptional cognitive function in older adults.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A wave of new research is challenging the long-held belief that the brain is largely fixed after a certain age. Scientists have discovered that some individuals, dubbed 'SuperAgers,' maintain exceptional memory and cognitive abilities well into their 80s and 90s, boasting capabilities comparable to those 30 years younger. The key appears to be an remarkable ability to continue generating new neurons throughout life, particularly in the hippocampus region critical for learning and memory.

Why it matters

This discovery opens up the possibility of developing interventions to boost neurogenesis and cognitive resilience in individuals experiencing age-related cognitive decline. Understanding the mechanisms that allow SuperAgers to maintain a youthful brain could pave the way for new therapies and preventative strategies to support healthy brain aging.

The details

Researchers at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Chicago and Northwestern University's SuperAging Program found that SuperAgers generate twice as many new neurons in the hippocampus compared to typical older adults. They also exhibit a 'resilience signature' that allows them to cope with age-related brain changes and maintain cognitive performance. Beyond genetics, factors like extroversion, social engagement, and openness to new experiences have been linked to SuperAger status.

  • The prevailing scientific view held that the brain was largely fixed after a certain age for decades.
  • The recent wave of research challenging this notion has emerged over the past several years.

The players

University of Illinois College of Medicine Chicago

A research institution that collaborated with Northwestern University on studies of SuperAgers.

Northwestern University's SuperAging Program

A long-running research program that has identified key factors contributing to exceptional cognitive function in older adults.

Orly Lazarov

The director of the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia Training Program at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Chicago and a co-author of the recent SuperAger research.

Jennifer Pauldurai

A researcher at the Inova Brain Health and Memory Disorders Program who likens the brain to a malleable 'lump of clay' that can be reshaped throughout life.

Sel Yackley

An 86-year-old participant in the Northwestern SuperAging Program who emphasizes the importance of staying mentally and physically active.

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What they’re saying

“This discovery means that the super-agers have a molecular capability that allows them to have higher [cognitive] performance, and that includes more neurogenesis. Neurogenesis is one of the most profound forms of plasticity in the brain.”

— Orly Lazarov, Director, Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia Training Program, University of Illinois College of Medicine Chicago (newsy-today.com)

“The brain, as Dr. Jennifer Pauldurai of the Inova Brain Health and Memory Disorders Program suggests, is like a lump of clay – malleable and adaptable throughout life. However, neglecting cognitive fitness and overall health can cause that clay to harden, making it more hard to reshape.”

— Jennifer Pauldurai, Researcher, Inova Brain Health and Memory Disorders Program (newsy-today.com)

“Stay active, mentally and physically.”

— Sel Yackley (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

Researchers are now exploring ways to stimulate neurogenesis through lifestyle interventions, pharmacological approaches, and even targeted brain stimulation techniques to help boost cognitive function in aging individuals.

The takeaway

The discovery of continued neurogenesis in the adult human brain is reshaping our understanding of brain plasticity and opens up new possibilities for supporting healthy cognitive aging. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including physical exercise, social engagement, and continuous learning, can help maximize cognitive resilience as we grow older.