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What Happens in The Brain As We Age

This document outlines a talk on what happens to our brain as we age. It discusses the basic brain anatomy and areas affected by aging, including physical changes like brain shrinkage and increased risk of stroke. It also addresses cognitive changes and aging-related brain diseases like Alzheimer's. Additionally, the document explores factors like neuroplasticity and neurogenesis, and how physical activity and an enriched environment can improve brain power and delay aging effects. It provides examples of how lifestyle choices around diet, exercise, and mental stimulation can help nourish and protect the brain.

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MrGilmartin
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254 views20 pages

What Happens in The Brain As We Age

This document outlines a talk on what happens to our brain as we age. It discusses the basic brain anatomy and areas affected by aging, including physical changes like brain shrinkage and increased risk of stroke. It also addresses cognitive changes and aging-related brain diseases like Alzheimer's. Additionally, the document explores factors like neuroplasticity and neurogenesis, and how physical activity and an enriched environment can improve brain power and delay aging effects. It provides examples of how lifestyle choices around diet, exercise, and mental stimulation can help nourish and protect the brain.

Uploaded by

MrGilmartin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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RCSI Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Coláiste Ríoga na Máinleá in

Éirinn

‘What happens to our brain as we age?’


Dr. Helena Bonner
Outline of Talk
-Basic Brain Anatomy:

- what Areas are Affected by Aging- Physical Changes

• Factors affecting Brain Aging

• Aging related Brain diseases

•Neuroplasticity -

• Neurogenesis-

• What can we do to improve our brain power and delay the


onset brain aging
Anatomy of Brain
Cortex

Pre- frontal cortex

Hippocampus

Cerebellum

http://www.brainline.org/multimedia/interactive_brain/the_human_brain.html?
gclid=CNLw372q08gCFeF02wod-ZQLTg
Physical Changes
Ageing has its effects on the
molecules, cells, vasculature,
gross morphology,and
cognition.

-brains shrink in volume,


particularly in the frontal
cortex.

-As our vasculature ages and


our blood pressure rises the
possibility of stroke and
ischaemia increases and our
white matter develops lesions.

-Memory decline also occurs


with ageing and brain
activation becomes more
bilateral for memory tasks
Cognitive Changes
Cognitive Changes
Alzeimhers Brain- inflammation
Senile plaques and Beta amyloid immunostain.
neurofibrillary Amyloid in plaques and
Diffuse plaque tangles. vessels in the cerebral cortex

Normal Brian

AD Brain
Neurogenesis

-The ability to generate neurons derived from local stem cells Physical activity and
an enriched environment, i.e., more opportunity for social interaction, physical
activity, and learning, have been shown to improve the rate of neurogenesis and
maintenance of these new cells.

-Overturned the long-held dogma that the adult brain


has no capacity for generating new neurons

-Increased neurogenesis correlates with increased


network activity and improved cognition

http://neurogenesis101.weebly.com/importance.html

-How does this relate to Aging?

Erickson and Gage 1998 Nature Medicine


Ireland
1/5 th of Japanese
(29 lbs)
•how to eat right to think right

•how to protect your brain from injuries and


toxic substances

•how to nourish your brain with vitamins


and do mental workouts to keep it strong

•the critical component of physical


exercise, and which kinds work best

•how to rid your brain of negative thoughts,


counteract stress, and much more

Full of encouraging anecdotes from Dr.


Amen’s many years of experience, Making
a Good Brain Great is a positive and
practical road map for enriching and
improving your own greatest asset—your
brain.

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