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The Aging Brain
Why do some people remain alert and vigorous at an age when others are declining mentally and physically? Does their apparent advantage have a biological basis, and, if so, could this success be transferred to others predisposed to age more quickly? If this is achievable, does brain aging then become the last obstacle to an extension of our useful life span?
These are just some of the questions answered in this fascinating book by Lawrence Whalley, a researcher who specializes in the study of Alzheimer's disease. He relates that the brain may be able to compensate for its own aging since the loss of brain cells with age is not as extensive as once believed and that, if some surviving cells retain the capacity to replicate, there may be real prospects of reducing the worst effects of brain aging.
In surveying the prospects of slowing or even preventing the worst effects of aging, Whalley looks at the development of the brain and how this is influenced by environmental factors such as diet and stress, the biological and psychological mechanisms of brain injury and disease, and the range of possible treatments and preventative measures, including gene therapy, silicon-neuron implants, virtual reality, and "intelligent environments." Throughout the book he relates the known facts about brain aging, as well as our many preconceptions. Reexamining older scientific studies, the author is able to show that though much of what we take for granted about the mental processes of the older person is not simple, we may indeed be able to alleviate the effects of mental deterioration--if not now, then in the future.
These are just some of the questions answered in this fascinating book by Lawrence Whalley, a researcher who specializes in the study of Alzheimer's disease. He relates that the brain may be able to compensate for its own aging since the loss of brain cells with age is not as extensive as once believed and that, if some surviving cells retain the capacity to replicate, there may be real prospects of reducing the worst effects of brain aging.
In surveying the prospects of slowing or even preventing the worst effects of aging, Whalley looks at the development of the brain and how this is influenced by environmental factors such as diet and stress, the biological and psychological mechanisms of brain injury and disease, and the range of possible treatments and preventative measures, including gene therapy, silicon-neuron implants, virtual reality, and "intelligent environments." Throughout the book he relates the known facts about brain aging, as well as our many preconceptions. Reexamining older scientific studies, the author is able to show that though much of what we take for granted about the mental processes of the older person is not simple, we may indeed be able to alleviate the effects of mental deterioration--if not now, then in the future.
192 pages, Paperback
First published July 12, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 13, 2017
I had low expectations for this book since it is 15 years old - it was published in 2001. (I picked it up at a library discard.) I was quite surprised. As I started the reading I immediately felt that the book rather than being obsolete, is useful. It started describing the basic biology of the brain and the fundamental chemical processes. Those haven’t changed.
"Brain cells talk to each other all the time. Much of this is fairly low-level chatter." (Page 17)
"So far, more than 500 different substances have been found naturally in the brain and many of these meet the criteria for a neurotransmitter." (Page 27)
Chapter 3 show how hard it is to define old age, and covers several theories of aging.
"Alienation theory proposes that the five components of alienation - powerlessness, meaninglessness, normlessness, isolation, and self-estrangement - are encountered much more frequently as one ages." (Page 83)
"The association between apolipoprotein E and Alzheimer's disease was first reported in 1993. Subsequent studies have confirmed that ApoE genotype is second only to age as a risk factor for the most frequently encountered subtypes of Alzheimer's disease. ... Alan Roses's group found that the frequency of APOE4 allele in late-onset Alzheimer's disease patients was 50 per cent, compared with only 16 per cent in control subjects." (Page 136)
"In Western developed countries, estimates of a non-disabled man age 65 surviving to age 80 and remaining non-disabled in the year before death are placed at around 1 in 4. For a non-disabled woman of the same age, the chances of surviving to age 85 without disability in the year before death are around one in six." (Page 145) "This type of successful aging is found in those who maintain an active lifestyle, eat a healthy, balanced diet, drink little alcohol, do not smoke, and continue social involvement. Although physical activity seems to be the single most important factor, each is likely a component of an overall healthy lifestyle, often well established by middle-aged." (Page 146)
The final chapter addresses the not-so-simple politics of people living longer.
I was planning on discarding the book after looking at it, but now it is a keeper. Four stars because it is old but it is definitely not obsolete.
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"Brain cells talk to each other all the time. Much of this is fairly low-level chatter." (Page 17)
"So far, more than 500 different substances have been found naturally in the brain and many of these meet the criteria for a neurotransmitter." (Page 27)
Chapter 3 show how hard it is to define old age, and covers several theories of aging.
"Alienation theory proposes that the five components of alienation - powerlessness, meaninglessness, normlessness, isolation, and self-estrangement - are encountered much more frequently as one ages." (Page 83)
"The association between apolipoprotein E and Alzheimer's disease was first reported in 1993. Subsequent studies have confirmed that ApoE genotype is second only to age as a risk factor for the most frequently encountered subtypes of Alzheimer's disease. ... Alan Roses's group found that the frequency of APOE4 allele in late-onset Alzheimer's disease patients was 50 per cent, compared with only 16 per cent in control subjects." (Page 136)
"In Western developed countries, estimates of a non-disabled man age 65 surviving to age 80 and remaining non-disabled in the year before death are placed at around 1 in 4. For a non-disabled woman of the same age, the chances of surviving to age 85 without disability in the year before death are around one in six." (Page 145) "This type of successful aging is found in those who maintain an active lifestyle, eat a healthy, balanced diet, drink little alcohol, do not smoke, and continue social involvement. Although physical activity seems to be the single most important factor, each is likely a component of an overall healthy lifestyle, often well established by middle-aged." (Page 146)
The final chapter addresses the not-so-simple politics of people living longer.
I was planning on discarding the book after looking at it, but now it is a keeper. Four stars because it is old but it is definitely not obsolete.
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November 13, 2008
Being an old fart, I purchased this work to obtain an idea of what I have to look forward to as my organic computer wears out. The many things that can and will go wrong are disturbing but the science and resultant therapies give hope, if not to me, then perhaps to my children. Anyway, I figure that I'd rather understand what goes wrong when it happens than not. Very British but engaging writing.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews