What research shows about brains of older Americans
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Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
Age is taking center stage this election year after President Biden's debate performance at 81 worried even his biggest supporters.
Why it matters: Americans are living longer — and emerging research offers insight as to why — but not every senior fits the "Golden Bachelor" profile.
The big picture: The number of Americans who hit triple-digit ages is expected to quadruple over the next three decades.
By the numbers: It's not uncommon for older Americans to keep working these days: The 75-and-older cohort is the fastest-growing age group in the workforce, according to the Pew Research Center.
Yes, but: "As much as we want to believe age is just a number, it clearly isn't," Axios' Bill Kole writes in "THE BIG 100: The New World of Super-Aging."
- "We're not the same at 80 as we are at 45," Kole says.
- Brains start shrinking in our 30s and 40s — and much more in our 60s — in the regions responsible for cognitive function.
In his book, Kole highlights what's true for many people who live to 100+.
1. They have a spouse.
- Married people have a better chance of living to 100 than singles.
2. They're resilient.
- Super-agers make the best of a stressful situation and move on.
3. They have thicker brains.
- Specifically, a thicker cingulate cortex, which is involved in memory and decision-making.
- Worth watching: The proportion of older people with dementia is declining.
4. They have a specific gene.
- Half of centenarians have a gene that taps the brakes on height and weight.
- Of note: Smaller animals, like certain dog breeds, live longer than larger ones.
5. Their siblings become centenarians.
- It's genetics.
6. They prioritize exercise and eating well.
- "It's the right combination of both that gives us an advantage," Kole writes.
7. They're extroverts.
- Most are outgoing, optimistic and easygoing.
8. They're white women.
- A majority are. Racial inequalities can age people.
💭 My thought bubble: My spritely 93-year-old grandfather, who acts like the mayor of his town, checks several of the super-ager boxes. Then again, he also smokes a pipe every weekend.
Go deeper: Kole shares longevity tips from centenarians.
