Brains of ‘super agers’ are strong producers of new neurons

• NEWS

• 25 February 2026

Brains of ‘super agers’ are strong producers of new neurons

Older people with exceptional memory have a surprisingly high number of young neurons, study finds.

Mariana Lenharo

Mariana Lenharo

View author publications

Search author on:
PubMed
Google Scholar

[Filament style neural cells in blue and pink. Fluorescent light micrograph of groups of neural stem cells (neurospheres) in culture.]

In neurogenesis, neural stem cells (shown here) can become neurons. Credit: Riccardo Cassiani-Ingoni/SPL

Adults whose brains still have strong neuron production seem to have better memory and cognitive function than do those in whom the ability wanes, finds a study published today in Nature1. The authors examined brain samples from deceased donors ranging from young adults to ‘super agers’ — people older than 80 with exceptional memory.

She lived to 117: what her genes and lifestyle tell us about longevity

Original source