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THE AMAZING FACTS OF AGING

HISTORICAL AND CURRENT DOGMA OF THE AGING BRAIN

• Accelerated rate of brain shrinkage after age 50.• Loss of 100,000 neurons in the cortex per day.• Irreversible process of brain dysfunction.

Historical perspective

• Insignificant loss of neurons.• Neuronal atrophy and loss of synaptic connections.• Evidence of brain plasticity.

Current perspective

ANATOMICAL CHANGES IN THE AGING BRAIN

Structure Regional function

Basal ganglia A collection of nuclei lying deep into the brain.

Involves in the regulation of voluntary movement

Subarachnoid space

CSF containing compartment surrounding the cerebrum.

Involves in CSF reabsorption.

Hippocampus A component of the limbic system

Involves in learning & memory

Ventricles Compartment in either side of the cerebral hemispheres.

Involves in CSF production.

White Matter Collection of myelinated nerve fibres forming the deep brain.

Involves in information transmission.

ANATOMICAL CHANGES IN THE BASAL GANGLIA

Function Neuronal clusters responsible for initiating and integrating movements.

Changes Becomes bright in appearance due to iron accumulation

ANATOMICAL CHANGES IN THE SUBARACHNOID SPACE

Function Contains CSF to provide mechanical protection for the brain.

Changes Increase in size due to brain shrinkage

ANATOMICAL CHANGES IN THE VENTRICLES

Function Production of CSF for mechanical protection.

Changes Increase in size due brain shrinkage.

ANATOMICAL CHANGES IN THE HIPPOCAMPUS

Function Development of Learning and Memory

Changes Reduction in size due to cell loss in the structure.

ANATOMICAL CHANGES IN THE WHITE MATTER

Function Communication channel for information processing.

Changes Reduction in size due to neuronal atrophy.

CONGITIVE CHANGES IN AGING: INTELLIGENCE

Fluid Intelligence – Ability to think and reason.Crystallized Intelligence – Ability to apply skill and knowledge.

Aged-related change: Decline in fluid intelligence

CONGITIVE CHANGES IN AGING: MENTAL PROCESSING

Decline in attentional ability

Working memory

Aged-related change: Decline in mental processing via reduction of attentional ability and decline in ability in forming working memory

CONGITIVE CHANGES IN AGING: LONG-TERM MEMORYExplicit memory – Retention of previously acquired skills & reflexes.Implicit memory – Conscious memory of facts & events.

Aged-related change: Decline in explicit memory