Join Beth Mormino and Anthony Wagner, experts from Stanford's Aging and Memory Study, as they delve into the secrets of resilient aging. They share insights on how cognitive health can endure into old age, unraveling the complexities of Alzheimer's and the potential for early detection through innovative research. The discussion also touches on the impact of stereotypes on cognitive performance and how lifestyle choices, like social engagement, can enhance brain health. Their exciting research holds promise for healthier, longer lives.
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Harry Tu's Healthy Aging Story
Harry Tu is in his mid-90s with no medical complaints and remains very active and independent.
He swims, bikes, drives, and travels annually, exemplifying healthy brain aging researchers want to understand.
insights INSIGHT
SAMS Studies Variability in Aging
The Stanford Aging and Memory Study (SAMS) initially enrolled cognitively healthy older adults for a one-time cognitive snapshot.
It studies variability in memory, brain structure, function, and Alzheimer's biomarkers like amyloid and tau.
insights INSIGHT
Longitudinal Imaging Reveals Resilience
SAMS grew to include longitudinal data and advanced imaging to track Alzheimer’s pathology like amyloid and tau over years.
This lets researchers explore what predicts cognitive change and resilience in aging individuals.
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This week on the show, we're have our sights set on healthy aging. What would it mean to be able to live to 80, 90 or 100 with our cognitive abilities intact and able to maintain an independent lifestyle right to the end of our days?
We're joined by Beth Mormino and Anthony Wagner who lead the Stanford Aging and Memory Study, which recruits cognitively healthy older adults to understand what makes their brains particularly resilient — and how more of us could join them in living the dream of healthy aging.
Trelle, A. N., ... & Wagner, A. D. (2020). Hippocampal and cortical mechanisms at retrieval explain variability in episodic remembering in older adults. eLife, 9:e55335. doi: 10.7554/eLife.55335 PDF | PMID:32469308
Trelle, A. N., ...,Wagner, A. D., Mormino, E. C., & Wilson, E. N. (2025). Plasma Aβ42/Aβ40 is sensitive to early cerebral amyloid accumulation and predicts risk of cognitive decline across the Alzheimer’s disease spectrum. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 21:e14442. PDF | PMID:39713875
Sheng, J., ..., Mormino, E., & Wagner, A. D. (submitted). Top-down attention and Alzheimer's pathology impact cortical selectivity during learning, influencing episodic memory in older adults. Preprint
Episode Credits
This episode was produced by Michael Osborne at 14th Street Studios, with sound design by Morgan Honaker. Our logo is by Aimee Garza. The show is hosted by Nicholas Weiler at Stanford's Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute and supported in part by the Knight Iniative for Brain Resilience.
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