World's Oldest Woman Had Normal Brain

Posted June 10, 2008, 9:58 am in Aging by Growing Bolder

A Dutch woman who reached 115 years of age and remained mentally sharp throughout life had a healthy brain when she died. The new study, detailed in the August issue of Neurobiology of Aging, suggests Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are not inevitable, as had been suspected.

"Our observations suggest that, in contrast to general belief, the limits of human cognitive function may extend far beyond the range that is currently enjoyed by most individuals," said lead researcher Gert Holstege.

At age 82, Hendrikje "Henny" van Andel-Schippermade arrangements to donate her body to science after death. She died peacefully in her sleep on August 30, 2005, two months after her 115th birthday. She was the oldest person in the world at the time her death.

After her death, an examination revealed that the number of brain cells was similar to that expected in healthy people between 60 and 80 years old.

Hendrikje van Andel-Schipper had stated that the secret to her longevity was a serving of herring every day, drinking orange juice, and staying active. She later jokingly added "breathing."

Currently, there are more than 80,000 Americans 100 years of age or older, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That number is expected to rise to more than 580,000 centenarians by 2040.

As the number of people living to 100 and continues to increase, the researchers say, deterioration of the brain is not inevitable.

This is video of Hendrikje on her 115th birthday, just two months before her death.

World's Oldest Woman Had Normal Brain

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