A pioneering study at Western is set to explore Canadian individuals in their 80s, 90s and beyond who retain remarkable cognitive capacities — those known as ‘SuperAgers’.
“In order to understand what happens in these diseases that slowly deteriorate the brain and cognitive functions over time, we need to look at people for whom that doesn’t happen. Let’s see what’s different — is it diet, lifestyle, genetics? We want to determine what it is that defines exceptional aging,” says professor Angela Roberts of the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, who is leading the study.
By analyzing brain scans and conducting cognitive assessments, the findings could shed light on the factors contributing to sustained cognitive ability, potentially improving quality of life for future generations.
