Operationalized definition of older adults with high cognitive performance

Abstract

Recently, there has been an increasing number of studies on exceptional cognitive aging. Herein, we aim to objectively provide the operationalized characterization of older adults with unusually high memory ability. Some authors have defined them as “SuperAgers”, individuals aged 80 years or older with memory ability similar or superior to middle-aged subjects. On the other hand, the terminology “high-performing older adults” (HPOA) seems to appropriately conceptualize these individuals without exaggeration. A threshold for age is not a reliable criterion, but may be defined as 75 and 80 years of age for developing and developed countries, respectively. We propose that HPOA may exhibit episodic memory test scores equal to or greater than those of individuals aged 50-60 years, according to the validated tables for the respective country. This group must also have global cognition scores within expected average values for age and education. Executive functioning may play a central role in the exceptional memory performance of this group. Further studies are essential to confirm existing findings and may provide important evidence for cognitive aging theory and the neurobiology of dementia.

Stability of Lifestyle Behavior – The Answer to Successful Cognitive Aging? A Comparison of Nuns, Monks, Master Athletes and Non-active Older Adults

“…Typically, scientists in the fields of cognitive aging, mild cognitive impairment and dementia focus on the description and explanation of age- and disease-related cognitive losses and the transition to dementia. However, a promising new approach focuses on the study of relatively healthy “optimal,” “successful” or “exceptional” “high-performing older adults” and the question of which risk and protective factors are present in these physically and/or cognitively exceptional individuals (Gefen et al, 2014; Borelli et al, 2018). SuperAgers are defined as individuals aged 80 years or older with memory ability similar or superior to control participants 20–30 years younger.…”

SuperAging – společnost a lidé: úvod do problematiky

“…Jejich definici pak převzaly týmy v jiných institucích a zemích včetně ČR. Díky tomu je pak možné data různých studií adekvátně porovnávat (Borelli et al, 2018). Operacionalizovat tedy můžeme definici SuperAgerů takto: osoby ve věku 80 a více let, jejichž výkon ve volném oddáleném vybavení Philadelfského verbálního testu učení PVLT je přinejmenším na úrovni průměrného výkonu osob ve věku 60-65 let (tj.…”

Environmental factors between normal and superagers in an Argentine cohort

“…Another complementary hypothesis was assessed in an interesting review that revealed that HPOA have structural and molecular preservation of the brain 'cortex, especially the anterior cingulate region, and hippocampal volumes greater than normal aging subjects. 9 A recent study by Borelli et al 10 made the first approach to characterize HPOA in Latin America revising and adapting the criteria, including a revision of the implication of low education that is frequent in Latin America. The study states that low education may mask or cover certain exceptional cognitive performing subjects.…”