New research explores why some octogenarians have exceptional memories. Gregorio Borgia/Associated Press

What makes ‘super-agers’ special?

Scientists have been studying a subset of people they call “super-agers.” Age 80 and older, they have the memory ability of a person decades younger.

A paper published yesterday helps shed some light on what makes them special: Their brains have less atrophy than their peers’ brains do.

Participants were otherwise similar in terms of diet, sleep, career or alcohol and tobacco use. Being a super-ager might just come down to “some sort of lucky predisposition,” or parts of the brain that we don’t yet understand, said Tessa Harrison, a scientist.

And for younger folks: A new study suggests that physical fitness can improve mental health in children and adolescents.