Why Some Minds Stay Razor Sharp Despite Aging

The brains of some elderly people with super-sharp memory seem to escape the formation of destructive "tangles" that increase with normal aging and peak in people with Alzheimer’s. A study of the brains of people who stayed mentally sharp into their 80s and beyond challenges the notion that brain changes linked to mental decline and Alzheimer's disease are a normal, inevitable part of aging.

In a presentation at the 239th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS), Changiz Geula, principal investigator of the Northwestern University Super Aging Project and a professor of neuroscience at the Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, and colleagues described their discovery of elderly people with super-sharp memory — so-called "super-aged" individuals — who somehow escaped formation of brain "tangles." The tangles consist of an abnormal form of a protein called "tau" that damages and eventually kills nerve cells. Named for their snarled, knotted appearance under a microscope, tangles increase with advancing age and peak in people with Alzheimer's disease.

"This discovery is very exciting," said Geula, "It is the first study of its kind and its implications are vast. We always assumed that the accumulation of tangles is a progressive phenomenon throughout the normal aging process. Healthy people develop moderate numbers of tangles, with the most severe cases linked to Alzheimer's disease. But now we have evidence that some individuals are immune to tangle formation. The evidence also supports the notion that the presence of tangles may influence cognitive performance. Individuals with the fewest tangles perform at superior levels. Those with more appear to be normal for their age."

The findings are based on examination of the nine brains from super-aged individuals. Subjects who volunteer for this study get a battery of memory and other tests and agree to donate their brains for examination after death. They are considered 'super- aged' because of their high performance on the tests. 

The tests include memory exercises to evaluate their ability to recall facts after being told a story or their ability to remember a list of more than a dozen words and recall those words sometime later. The super-aged individuals recruited for study so far are all more than 80 years old, but they performed the memory tasks at the level of 50-year-olds. The scientists are recruiting more volunteers for the study, with the goal of eventually including about 50 people. 

Geula pointed out that previous studies tended to focus on what goes wrong with the brain as people age. It established that tangles and other deposits termed plaques accumulate at higher levels in the brains of people with Alzheimer's Disease. Geula said the new study is unique in its focus on what's right with the brains of older people. It seeks insights into what lifestyle, genetics, or other factors may protect super-aged individuals from the age-related memory loss that affects most other people.

The scientists found that super-aged people appear to fall into two subgroups: Those who are almost immune to tangle formation and those that have few tangles.

"One group of super-aged seems to dodge tangle formation," Geula explained. "Their brains are virtually clean, which doesn't happen in normal-aged individuals. The other group seems to get tangles but it's less than or equal to the amount in the normal elderly. But for some reason, they seem to be protected against its effects."

The next step, Geula said, involves determining why one subgroup is immune to tangle formation and the other seems to be immune to its effects. Environment, lifestyle, and genetics may be key factors. For example, some super-aged individuals might have a genetic predisposition to being super-aged, while others may help preserve high brain function by maintaining a healthy diet or staying physically active. Others may keep mental decline at bay by keeping the brain itself active: By reading books, playing crossword puzzles, or engaging in other mentally demanding activities.

"Ultimately, chemistry is one of the keys to understanding what makes these tangles form," Geula said. "By understanding the specific anatomic, pathological, genetic, and molecular characteristics of high-performing brains, we may eventually be able to protect normal brains from age-related memory loss."

Jason McManus via material provided by American Chemical Society.

Image credit: Maroubra Genius by fontograph/Flickr

Comments

[jimijr]

I hope my chess playing will do the trick for me, I'm retiring from my scientific pursuits in a few months.

[Damon Lyon]

There is a similar story posted in the USC Health Magazine found at: bit.ly/2OHnte

If we could descern the cause of these tangles, we could conceivably make advancements in preventative medicine.

Although exercise and nutrition play a large roll in maintaning a healthy brain, the ability to rid the brain of these neurofibriallary tangles could ease communication between cells.

[Robert Burt]

I think it has to do with how the brain is used. Times occur when your brain is not able to function as you would like it to, even though it may be a task you are accustomed to. At these times, never force the brain to complete the task. It needs time to replenish its nutrients. Never hurry it.

[EvilCosmicMonkeyfrom Knoxville]

Keeping the brain active seems to be KEY. My father settled down with my step - mother after his retirement, he ceased pretty much any kind of pursuit of mental or physical stimulation, & became a mental & physical shell of his former self in less than 10 years.
Is there a genetic factor in staying sharp / on top of one's game when reaching advanced years ? Maybe. But I'm thinking that simulation of the senses / brain / mind also plays a VERY IMPORTANT part.

Also, don't eschew video action - adventure games. They stimulate the mind & certain areas of the brain, they encourage decision - making & critical thinking, & for all I know, production of neuro - transmitters. The young video - game aficionado may be better off when he grows older than someone who DOESN'T indulge.

[Simon Salosny]

It is a matter of truly understanding the nature of the brain; learning what it really is throughout life. Although experience shows that there is some sort of covering mechanism that is activated in most people, when informed about the largely unknown manner of USING one´s brain as a tool; a moment when a person becomes aware of what "USING one´s brain" might mean. When a person, maybe for a moment, ponders the possibility of the ID, or I, or the consciousness being a field of energy that may learn to manage the brain as a computer. In 99,9% of cases, a sort of curtain stops the reception of the information and a while later the persons act as if they never were informed of anything related with the topic. This, even after having witnessed total regeneration of kneecaps,inter vertebral discs and other healing achievements. Later, they go on saying "MY Brain", without giving a thought about who is communicating the fact.
This type of comment is posted occasionally with the hope that it might fall as a seed in receptive minds, and help the individuals in achieving a better quality of life and spiritual growth...

[Narendra Nath]

It is a disciplined quiet mind that plays a big role here. Yoga and meditation , besides the Zen techniques are seen to help matters in a positive way. Mind and the level of consciousness ( Life-force strength ) that plays a significant role and Neurology research has yet to go deeper in this direction

[dirk alan]

stupid brains - doh !

[EvilCosmicMonkeyfrom Knoxville]

Narendra -

I would say that a balance of mental stimulation & moments of Zen - like meditation are equally beneficial for keeping one's brain healthy. Tending to my plants & fish can be a meditative experience for me at times. Playing electronic games can get my neurotransmitters pumping.

[Senior Care]

Alzheimer's Disease can be quite challenging to deal with, especially for those who have loved ones suffering from the disease. Finding care in your area that specialized in Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia is the best solution for your aging loved one.
To learn more about Alzheimer's disease or your care options, you may want to consult with a Geriatric Care Manager in your area. Senior care can be found by simply searching one website. GeriCareFinder has everything for your senior care needs.

[Arlyne Jacoby]

I want you to take me off of this sight...It has mixed up my natural way of getting into my computer...Thank You

[Amina Nahabet]

Is anyone looking into the possibility that a toxic and a highly acidic body for many years contributes to the formation of the tangles?