Aging and Memory

<h2>Aging & Memory </h2><hr> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="20"> <tr align="left" valign="top"> <td width ="130"> <img src= "topbrain03.gif" align="center" alt="A Face"><br><Br> <a href="index.html" target="_top"> Home </a> <p><a href="Overview.html" target="_top"> An Overview </a></p> <p><a href="CloserLook.html" target="_top"> A Closer Look </a></p> <p><a href="MemoryGame.html" target="_top"> Test Your Memory </a></p> <p style= "font-weight: bold; color: #ffff66"> Aging & Memory </a></p> <p><a href="links.html" target="_top"> Links </a></p> </td> <td width="1" bgcolor="#b22222"></td> <td> <h3><a name= "Intro">I. Introduction </a></h3> <p>There is clear indication that memory deteriorates with age. Some of the prominent changes of the brain that are known to occur with age include: decreased brain weight, gyral atrophy, ventricular dilation, and selective loss of neurons within different brain regions (kemper 1994). The hippocampus loses a significant number of neurons, between 20% - 30% by age of eighty, while the remaining neurons develop signs of pathology (Squire 1987). These findings suggest that forgetfulness in elderly individuals might be in large part due to hippocampal dysfunction. Still other data suggest that it is not merely the number of neurons, but the connections between the neurons (neuropil) that are lost with age. Recent advances in noninvasive imagining techniques also evidence significant brain shrinkage with age. In general, as is the case with most sensory and cognitive systems, it appears well studied that women tend to out perform men in memory events, especially at tasks such as face recognition or verbal episodic memory (Canli 2002). There is a vast body of data that have been collected to study memory with age (check out the links page for a literature survey in this area), but still, very little precise information is known, other than the fact that a definitive correlate exists to justify age-related memory loss (ARML). More important, however, is the need to differentiate memory loss due to normal aging, with those associated with dementia.</p> <p>The primary difference between ARML and dementia is that ARML results in loss of declarative memory while dementia will result in loss of a wide variety of cognitive abilities. Forgetting where you put your car can happen to anyone, but forgetting how your car looks is a more serious problem. Symptoms of dementia can include: repetition of words or movements, getting lost or disoriented, reduced ability to perform complex tasks, trouble communicating, difficulty sleeping, changes in behavior or personality, and neglect of personal safety, hygiene, or nutrition. </p><Br><br> <h3><a name="second">II. Alzheimer's Disease </a></h3> <p>Alzheimer disease is a degenerative disorder of the brain. It involves an area of the brain called the cerebral cortex or gray matter. This incurable disease causes the death and withering of nerve cells in this part of the brain. The disease starts when a person has small problems performing complex tasks and remembering things but eventually progresses to severe dementia over a period of 5-10 years.</p> <p>Alzheimer disease rarely occurs in people younger than 50 years but becomes very common in later life. It is the most common cause of dementia in older people. Because it is so common and devastating, it is perhaps the most important of all degenerative diseases. At this time, no cure has been found, although some treatments may slow its progression for a short period. In older people, Alzheimer disease takes a devastating toll on memory loss. Some 4 million Americans are now affected. With our aging population, by 2050, there may be over 14 million people with Alzheimer disease.</p><br><br> <h3><a name="third">III. Causes for General Dementia </a></h3> <p>Non-Alzheimer related dementia also exists in wide variety. Some of the causes of general dementia are:</p> <ol> <li>Chronic inflammation causing injury to both cerebral blood vessels and brain cells.</li> <li>Changes in lifestyle and diet leading to nutrient deficiencies. </li> <li>Hormonal imbalances and decreased levels of key hormones like DHEA, estrogen, testosterone, etc.</li> <li>Decreases in oxygen available to brain cells due to pathology (e.g., atherosclerosis or heart disease) or a lifetime of poor health habits (e.g., smoking, drinking, bad diet, or stress). </li> <li>Declining energy output of brain cells. </li> <li>Essential fatty acid deficiencies (the brain is composed almost entirely of fatty acids). </li> <li>The damaging effects of chronic free radical exposure. </li> <li>Adverse side effects from prescription medications. </li> <li>Elevated levels of MAO (monoamineoxidase). </li> <li>Reduced levels of neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine. </li> </ol><br><br> <h3><a name="fourth">IV. Ways to Improve Memory and Cognition.</a></h3> <p>Alzheimer’s is understood to be irreversible. But many other cases of general dementia can be reversed. The following are some plausible avenues for improvement:</p> <p>Increasing hormonal supplements have shown to improve cognitive functioning (Far 2000, Godenough et al. 2000). Further, Vitamin supplements, A, C, E, and B have all shown to augment cognitive performance (La Rue et al. 1997). Suppression of free radicals, by introduction of anti-oxidants can also relieve cognitive dysfunction )Perrig et al. 1997). Finally, increasing cerebral blood flow and general vascularization in the brain can also enhance memory and cognitive function (Gaal et al. 1990).</p><br><Br> <h3><a name="Conclusion">V. Conclusion </a></h3> <p>Our brain is the center of emotions, memory, and personal identity; all those things that make us uniquely human. Decline in brain function is the greatest fear most persons have when thinking about aging.</p> <p>Age-associated mental impairment can range in severity from forgetfulness to senility to dementia. It can be caused by a wide variety of specific disease processes, many of which are treatable. It can also result from normal brain aging. Whatever its form or cause, age-associated cognitive impairment does not need to be accepted as an inevitable consequence of growing older.</p> <p>Behavioral modification such as participating in increased physical and mental activity and following a healthy diet can improve mental function both directly and indirectly by enhancing overall health.</p> <p>Age-associated mental impairment can be treated safely and effectively with memory-enhancing nutrients, hormones, and drugs. These therapies improve cerebral circulation; boost brain cell metabolism; stabilize brain cell membranes; increase acetylcholine; provide structural building blocks to neurons; synchronize brain cell interaction; restore youthful hormone balance; suppress free radicals; and reduce chronic inflammatory processes.</p> </td></tr></table>