June 16th, 2008 12:45 PM Eastern
115-Year-Old Woman Had No Signs of Alzheimer’s
by Jessica Doyle
A Dutch woman who was the oldest person in the world when she died at age 115 in 2005 appeared sharp right up to the end, joking that pickled herring was the secret to her longevity.
Scientists say that Henrikje van Andel-Schipper’s mind was probably as good as it seemed: a post-mortem analysis of her brain revealed few signs of Alzheimer’s or other diseases commonly associated with a decline in mental ability in old age.
That came as something of a surprise, said Gert Holstege, a professor at Groningen University, whose findings will be published in the August edition of Neurobiology of Aging.
Tags: Alzheimer's, cancer, Dutch, longevity, mental ability, Netherlands, Neurobiology, pickled herring
Share
It’s a shame more young people don’t sit down with their elders and really talk to them. They’ve seen the world change like no one else ever will and the stories they can tell — well it’s almost like science fiction in reverse. I hope I’m as lucky as she was.
A truly amazing story. I have seen too many of my elders have these degenerative diseases or are beginning to show some signs of differing diseases. To know that this woman had never had Alzheimer’s disease is remarkable at her age. For those of you in your forties and younger – PAY ATTENTION! Listen to your elders and get to know them. They will not be around much longer. They truly are the “Greatest Generation”.
I agree! I once read in either Dear Abby or Ann Landers: “An old person dying is like a library burning down.”
I’ve worked in the medical field my entire working life, and i will never forget a women i met at mercy regional health center in kansas. The first time i met her was on her 101st birthday. That woman changed who I am. She was wonderful. still sound of mind and i would talk to her everytime i had to draw blood from her. she has some of the most amazing life stories. It was a sad but joyous day for me the day she got out of the hospital. good for her, but it made me sad that i wouldnt be able to talk to her. I havent spoken to her since her discharge, but i will never forget her.
What a gift to be given from our Lord Jesus. She must have been a conservative, since God likes to kill off gays, heathens, and Liberals early.