Jaclyn Wu 220H Paper proposal The Chicago Tribune recently wrote an article about elderly people whose brains

seem to have aged particularly well. The article was based on a study done by researchers from Northwestern University that investigated differences in the brains of individuals they dubbed SuperAgers. Typically, some decline in memory is normal and expected as we age. SuperAgers were defined as individuals over 80 who had memory performance similar to what would be expected of normal 50 to 65 year olds. This over two-decade difference is incredible. Function was quantified by scores on a test of episodic memory. Differences in their brains were measured by MRI imaging of the SuperAgers and two control groups: elderly controls and middle-aged controls. Researchers then examined the scans and what relation they might possibly have to the aging process or susceptibility to Alzheimers disease. My paper will examine the significance of this study and what, if any, major conclusions can be drawn from the findings. I will do this by first addressing the merits and shortcomings of the study. This can be done by examining factors including, but not limited to sample size, methods, and modes of comparison between the different age groups studied. Additionally, this section will address other factors that couldve impacted the significance of the data in the study. Since conclusions from the paper were primarily based on quantitative MRI findings at one point in time in the individuals life span, there is a lack of discussion related to lifestyle, individual physical differences, habits, and environment, which I will then address. This will be followed by an analysis of the implications and suggestions of their findings, for both the average person and scientific researchers. The article in the Chicago Tribune gives a more laymans take on the paper. I will discuss whether the article appropriately conveys accurate information from the study to the reader or if it presents misleading ideas. As for discussing research-based significance, one example could be that the researchers found the left anterior cingulate cortex of the brain of the SuperAgers to be thicker than those of the middle-aged control group. Brief comparisons were made by the researchers of correlations between certain regions of the brain to progression of Alzheimers. To see if this region plays a considerable role, I will discuss the connections they made to other studies linking the region to the diseases early stages and the weight of the connection. Finally, this studys findings introduce new ideas to consider regarding human aging. To conclude, I will examine what further lines of inquiry this paper may drive in increasing our understanding of the nature of the human brain as it ages.

Sources: Harrison, Theresa, Sandra Weintraub, M. Marsel Mesulam, and Emily Rogalski. Superior Memory and Higher Cortical Volumes in Unusually Successful Aging.Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society 18 (2012): 1-5. Web. Smith, Mitch. Researchers tracking some particularly sharp seniors. Chicago Tribune. Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2012. Web. 14 Sep. 2012.