Neural correlates of exceptional memory ability in SuperAgers: A multimodal approach using FDG-PET, PIB-PET, and MRI

Individuals at 80 years of age or above with exceptional memory are considered SuperAgers (SA). A multimodal brain analysis of SA may provide biomarkers of successful cognitive aging. Herein, a molecular (PET-FDG, PET-PIB), functional (fMRI) and structural analysis (MRI) of SA was conducted. Ten SA, ten age-matched older adults (C80) and ten cognitively normal middle-aged adults underwent cognitive testing and neuroimaging examinations. The relationship between cognitive scores and cingulate areas and hippocampus were examined. The SA group showed increased FDG SUVr in the left subgenual Anterior Cingulate Cortex (sACC, p0.05). The SA group also presented decreased connectivity between left sACC and posterior cingulate (p<0.005) as compared to that of C80 group. These results support the key role of ACC in SA, even in the presence of amyloid deposition. It also suggests that sACC can be used as a potential memory biomarker in older adults. Abbreviations BCa – Bias corrected accelerated: SA – SuperAgers: C50 – Middle-aged controls: C80 – Age-matched controls