Cognitive SuperAging: Exploring why some octogenarians stay sharp in memory
Official title: Cognitive SuperAging: A model to explore resilience and resistance to aging and Alzheimers disease
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11623260 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant studies why a small group of people aged 80+ keep memory skills as good as much younger people, hoping to understand how to protect memory as we age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $545,812 |
| NIH project number | 2R56AG067781-07A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11623260 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults (80+) who exhibit high memory performance or are willing to participate as part of a digital cohort and brain/genetic exposure studies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without aging-related memory concerns or those unwilling to participate in imaging or genetic assessments may not benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers at the University of Chicago are studying SuperAgers—people age 80 and older with memory performance like someone decades younger—to uncover factors that support exceptional memory. The project expands to include a broader, digitally recruited group and compares them to age-matched controls, using brain imaging and genetic data to identify protective features. By examining brain activity, cortical structure, and genome-wide variants, the study aims to reveal mechanisms and potential modifiable factors that contribute to resilient memory in aging. Findings could inform strategies to maintain memory and reduce Alzheimer’s–related risk in the general elderly population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of what helps some elders maintain memory could lead to new strategies to protect against dementia and cognitive decline.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown distinctive brain structure and genetic features in SuperAgers, supporting potential for meaningful insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rogalski, Emily J — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Rogalski, Emily J
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.