Exploring how some older adults maintain exceptional memory abilities
Official title: Cognitive SuperAging: A model to explore resilience and resistance to aging and Alzheimers disease
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-10804730 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a special group of people aged 80 and older, called 'SuperAgers', who have amazing memory skills despite their age, to find out what helps them stay sharp and resist Alzheimer's, and we invite participants to help us learn more about their brains and how they work.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $618,803 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG067781-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-10804730 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 80 and older who demonstrate exceptional memory performance and cognitive resilience.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 80 or those who already exhibit significant cognitive decline may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a unique group of individuals aged 80 and older, known as 'SuperAgers', who exhibit remarkable memory performance that defies typical age-related decline. By studying these individuals, the research aims to identify biological, psychosocial, and genetic factors that contribute to their cognitive resilience against Alzheimer's disease. Participants will undergo longitudinal assessments and contribute to brain donation studies, allowing researchers to analyze brain connectivity and gene expression related to memory function. The goal is to better understand the mechanisms that enable some older adults to maintain superior cognitive abilities well into their later years.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights and strategies for preserving cognitive function in aging populations, potentially delaying or preventing Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding cognitive resilience in aging, but this specific focus on SuperAgers is relatively novel.
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.