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Frequency of cognitive "super-aging" in three Australian samples using different diagnostic criteria
Alice Powell1, Ben C P Lam2, David Foxe3
1Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, Discipline of Psychiatry & Mental Health, School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
International Psychogeriatrics
|February 2, 2025
Summary
Cognitive super-aging frequency in Australian older adults varies significantly by definition, but is linked to better function and lower dementia risk. Standardizing definitions is key for characterizing this exceptional group.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Exceptional cognition, or cognitive super-aging, represents a minority of older adults.
- Understanding the prevalence and characteristics of super-aging is crucial for aging research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of cognitive super-aging in Australian older adults.
- To assess agreement between different super-aging definitions.
- To explore the relationship between super-aging status and functional, neuroimaging, and dementia outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of three longitudinal cohort studies involving older adults (aged 65-106) without dementia.
- Assessment of super-aging using nine distinct definitions based on neuropsychological testing.
- Exploration of associations with functional performance, brain imaging markers, and incident dementia.
Main Results:
- Super-aging frequency ranged from 2.9% to 43.4%, influenced by definition stringency.
- Agreement between definitions varied from poor to very good.
- Super-aging was associated with improved function, reduced incident dementia, and lower white matter hyperintensity burden.
Conclusions:
- The definition of cognitive super-aging significantly impacts its observed frequency.
- Greater consistency in defining super-aging is needed for accurate characterization.
- Super-aging is associated with positive health and cognitive aging markers.
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