Unlocking Clues to Super Agers’ Brain Health
A large-scale study of 18,000 study participants showed that people with two genetic variants of the APOE gene tend to have fewer diagnoses of Alzheimer’s disease. Super agers are loosely defined as people age 80 and older whose memory and performance are comparable to people 20 to 30 years younger than them. The findings were published in Alzheimer's & Dementia, The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association.
You can easily find out what genes you carry. The APOE gene test identifies the type of APOE genotype in your DNA, according to the Cleveland Clinic. There are three types of the gene. People with the APOE2 and APOE3 tend to have protection against Alzheimer’s disease. People with APOE4 are at a higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
Your healthcare provider can conduct the blood test, or you can buy an at-home swab test, however experts warn that the at-home tests may not be as accurate and risk data breaches. This test is not a diagnosis, but offers a potential preview into how your brain might age over your lifetime, so you can work with your healthcare team to understand how to reduce risks before symptoms of memory loss appear.
Researchers from Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN, evaluated memory, executive function, language, and visiospatial performance using assessment tools, accounting for demographics like age and years of education. Based on the data collected, the research team deemed only 1,623 participants super agers.
Can You Hack Your Brain Health?
Maybe. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) suggests that genetics aside, environmental and lifestyle factors play a role in brain health. Experts at NIA recommend some things you may already be doing:
- Eat whole foods that are high in vitamins and fiber
- Limit alcohol
- Quit smoking
- Get regular health screenings
- Manage chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol
- Get enough sleep, ideally 7 to 9 hours per night
- Stay connected with friends and family
- Exercise and lift weights
The quality of our lives and overall health are very influenced by what we eat and how we move, as more people strive for longevity.