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The Aging Brain
We're all getting older every day, and scientific research has shown that starting in our 20s, some brain functions begin a linear decline. But is old age all doom and gloom?
Not at all! While it's true that some functions in the aging brain decline, neuroscientists have discovered that many other brain functions remain stable - or even improve - as we age. Furthermore, nurture plays as significant a role as nature, and there are a number of strategies you can implement to stave off declining brain function, including:
Incorporating physical activity into your routine
Eating a healthy diet
Maintaining a vibrant social life
Reducing your stress
The science behind the aging brain tells a fascinating - and often counterintuitive - story. Is "aging" a disease or merely a natural occurrence that produces disease-like symptoms? If humans are biologically programmed to survive and thrive, why do we age at all? Is it possible (or even desirable) to "cure" aging altogether?
Delve into these questions and more in The Aging Brain. Taught by a neuroscientist and award-winning professor at the University of Michigan, these 12 eye-opening lectures will give you a wealth of new insights into what happens to the brain over time - as well as strategies to mitigate the effects of aging and enhance your quality of life into old age.
With a mix of scientific research and practical applications, Professor Polk brings cutting-edge science to life. He takes you down to the cellular and even molecular levels of the brain to show you why certain functions decline, how some aspects of brain aging are under genetic control, and what you can do to prolong your health and keep your mind sharp. Aging affects us all, but you have some control over how it affects you.
Not at all! While it's true that some functions in the aging brain decline, neuroscientists have discovered that many other brain functions remain stable - or even improve - as we age. Furthermore, nurture plays as significant a role as nature, and there are a number of strategies you can implement to stave off declining brain function, including:
Incorporating physical activity into your routine
Eating a healthy diet
Maintaining a vibrant social life
Reducing your stress
The science behind the aging brain tells a fascinating - and often counterintuitive - story. Is "aging" a disease or merely a natural occurrence that produces disease-like symptoms? If humans are biologically programmed to survive and thrive, why do we age at all? Is it possible (or even desirable) to "cure" aging altogether?
Delve into these questions and more in The Aging Brain. Taught by a neuroscientist and award-winning professor at the University of Michigan, these 12 eye-opening lectures will give you a wealth of new insights into what happens to the brain over time - as well as strategies to mitigate the effects of aging and enhance your quality of life into old age.
With a mix of scientific research and practical applications, Professor Polk brings cutting-edge science to life. He takes you down to the cellular and even molecular levels of the brain to show you why certain functions decline, how some aspects of brain aging are under genetic control, and what you can do to prolong your health and keep your mind sharp. Aging affects us all, but you have some control over how it affects you.
7 pages, Audible Audio
Published June 24, 2016
8 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
About the author
Thad A. Polk
13 books44 followersProfessor Thad A. Polk is an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor in the Department of Psychology and the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan. He received a B.A. in Mathematics from the University of Virginia and an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Computer Science and Psychology from Carnegie Mellon University. He also received postdoctoral training in cognitive neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania.
Professor Polk’s research combines functional imaging of the human brain with computational modeling and behavioral methods to investigate the neural architecture underlying cognition. Some of his major projects have investigated differences in the brains of smokers who quit compared with those who do not, changes in the brain as we age, and contributions of nature versus nurture to neural organization. Professor Polk regularly collaborates with scientists at the University of Texas at Dallas and at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin, where he is a frequent visiting scientist.
Professor Polk regularly teaches on topics ranging from the human mind and brain, to cognitive psychology, to computational modeling of cognition. His teaching at the University of Michigan has been recognized by numerous awards, and he was named to The Princeton Review’s list of the Best 300 Professors in the United States.
Professor Polk’s research combines functional imaging of the human brain with computational modeling and behavioral methods to investigate the neural architecture underlying cognition. Some of his major projects have investigated differences in the brains of smokers who quit compared with those who do not, changes in the brain as we age, and contributions of nature versus nurture to neural organization. Professor Polk regularly collaborates with scientists at the University of Texas at Dallas and at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin, where he is a frequent visiting scientist.
Professor Polk regularly teaches on topics ranging from the human mind and brain, to cognitive psychology, to computational modeling of cognition. His teaching at the University of Michigan has been recognized by numerous awards, and he was named to The Princeton Review’s list of the Best 300 Professors in the United States.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
April 14, 2018
These are twelve lectures about something we all have—aging brains. Some of us are farther down the road than others so these lectures can help us understand what's happening.
The follow are things that get worse with age (on average)
Then the lectures describe the various parts of the brain and explains which parts of the brain are involved with the various brain functions associated with aging (as listed above). And then we learn that brain scans and autopsies show that those corresponding areas of the brain change or don't change—shrink, deteriorate, or remain unchanged. In other words, The structural deterioration that occurs in the brain is associated with a corresponding deterioration in neural function.
However, brain scans show that older brains tend to compensated for the deterioration in neural function by using additional areas of the brain. In other words, older brain functions are distributed more widely than they are for younger brains.
The above is an interesting graph that shows distinctiveness of the neural activation patterns of areas of the brain associated with facial, place and word recognition and how these vary between old and young brains on average. It shows that older participants exhibit neural dedifferentiation—that is, the neural activation patterns evoked by faces, buildings, and text aren't as distinctive as they are in the young adults.
One good thing about being older is that emotional stability improves for most people. The question that follows in my mind is whether structural changes to brain has anything to do with emotional stability, or whether instead it's just that a person with multiple life experiences doesn't get too excited about the small stuff. These lectures suggest that it's because older people view life with a shorter future horizon.
Strategies for an Aging Memory:
The final lecture is on the science of immortality. With the tools of gene and clone therapy there are theoretical means available to achieve this goal. But it's really complicated, and the fact that progress on curing cancer has been so slow in spite of years of research shows how difficult progress can be. In other words, don't hold your breath for this.
The follow are things that get worse with age (on average)
Chance of dying—doubles every eight years.The following stay the same or improve with age:
Chances brain disease
—e.g. Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and stroke.
Cognitive abilities
Processing speed
Executive function
Working memory
Episodic memory
semantic memoriesSo why does age cause this change? All mammalian species experience aging, and genetics are a major factor in determination of the rate that it takes place. The lectures explain the details of what happens with aging at the cellular level—rate of energy consumption, free radicals, and damage to DNA are all factors.
Priming performance
procedural memory
memory of cognitive skills
emotional stability
Then the lectures describe the various parts of the brain and explains which parts of the brain are involved with the various brain functions associated with aging (as listed above). And then we learn that brain scans and autopsies show that those corresponding areas of the brain change or don't change—shrink, deteriorate, or remain unchanged. In other words, The structural deterioration that occurs in the brain is associated with a corresponding deterioration in neural function.
However, brain scans show that older brains tend to compensated for the deterioration in neural function by using additional areas of the brain. In other words, older brain functions are distributed more widely than they are for younger brains.
The above is an interesting graph that shows distinctiveness of the neural activation patterns of areas of the brain associated with facial, place and word recognition and how these vary between old and young brains on average. It shows that older participants exhibit neural dedifferentiation—that is, the neural activation patterns evoked by faces, buildings, and text aren't as distinctive as they are in the young adults.
One good thing about being older is that emotional stability improves for most people. The question that follows in my mind is whether structural changes to brain has anything to do with emotional stability, or whether instead it's just that a person with multiple life experiences doesn't get too excited about the small stuff. These lectures suggest that it's because older people view life with a shorter future horizon.
Strategies for an Aging Memory:
Process information deeplyLectures are included which cover the subjects of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke. Recommended practices for aging well are included, and not surprisingly anything that's good for the cardiovascular health is also good for the brian. That means remain active and exercise regularly.
Turn verbal info into visuospatial information
Connect with things already known
Test yourself
The final lecture is on the science of immortality. With the tools of gene and clone therapy there are theoretical means available to achieve this goal. But it's really complicated, and the fact that progress on curing cancer has been so slow in spite of years of research shows how difficult progress can be. In other words, don't hold your breath for this.
April 19, 2020
For a Great Course, this was on the short side and I picked it for that reason. It's concise, to the point, and informative. Because this is an interest of mine and I've tried to read about it often, about a third of this book was old news to me, a third was mild building on familiar concepts, and then about a third was new to me and very interesting. The professor has a great presentative voice and makes it fun and engaging which is so needed for non-fiction narrations that can get feel very dry very fast.
This goes into a lot more than just Alzheimer's and things like that. It goes over the process of aging, and weird things we've done with worms and mice to double life spans, and what that could potentially mean for us as a species in the future when we get a better grasp on genetics and their potentials.
This goes into episodic vs semantic memory, nueral degenerative disorders, behavior changes, physical changes that aren't related to the brain etc. It's pretty thorough but still not super technical. A background or ground level knowledge of the topic isn't required to enjoy this one, it's pretty accessible.
I'd recommend this for people of any age, many of us have parents that will eventually age into their 80's and since working in the field that takes care of our elders, I've seen that people who have some basic knowledge of what's happening to their parents have a more relaxed and strategic approach to their care needs.
This goes into a lot more than just Alzheimer's and things like that. It goes over the process of aging, and weird things we've done with worms and mice to double life spans, and what that could potentially mean for us as a species in the future when we get a better grasp on genetics and their potentials.
This goes into episodic vs semantic memory, nueral degenerative disorders, behavior changes, physical changes that aren't related to the brain etc. It's pretty thorough but still not super technical. A background or ground level knowledge of the topic isn't required to enjoy this one, it's pretty accessible.
I'd recommend this for people of any age, many of us have parents that will eventually age into their 80's and since working in the field that takes care of our elders, I've seen that people who have some basic knowledge of what's happening to their parents have a more relaxed and strategic approach to their care needs.
April 26, 2022
As a rather ancient individual myself, I thought this Great Course might help me to understand how my brain is likely to deteriorate in the next couple of years. And it certainly did. It contains a lot of useful information about the functioning of the brain (some of which is quite technical - it seems to me to be a good idea to watch the course on Memory and the Human Lifespan first as it explains some of the basics more simply) and describes ailments that afflict us in old age. Although the course covers some of the same ground as the Memory lectures, I would recommend it to people with neither a scientific nor a medical background as it helps us to improve/broaden our knowledge of brain function, senescence and even suggests how our lifestyle might be changed to keep us compos mentis for as long as possible.
October 24, 2016
For all my friends who are aging and who want to feel good in the process...
The most natural thing is that when the body also ages the brain. There are powers not lost, but other events such as memory, executive brain awareness and speed are lost.
All this has its causes, mentioned in the book. But how to get away from them as much as possible?
Secrets are:
- Food: speaks of the Mediterranean diet (50s) as something excellent. Things to eat and what to avoid. Interesting.
- Exercise: for both body and mind. What exercises help more? Also terrific topic.
- Stress .... perhaps the most important point. And perhaps follow the other two previous issues is what helps us not to stress ....
All these secrets are studies that support them. But I tell you that I have lived. Before reading this book, about three years ago, I changed my diet and exercise. Today I feel better than when I was 20, I have improved my health a lot.
Now I just work on that stress .
The most natural thing is that when the body also ages the brain. There are powers not lost, but other events such as memory, executive brain awareness and speed are lost.
All this has its causes, mentioned in the book. But how to get away from them as much as possible?
Secrets are:
- Food: speaks of the Mediterranean diet (50s) as something excellent. Things to eat and what to avoid. Interesting.
- Exercise: for both body and mind. What exercises help more? Also terrific topic.
- Stress .... perhaps the most important point. And perhaps follow the other two previous issues is what helps us not to stress ....
All these secrets are studies that support them. But I tell you that I have lived. Before reading this book, about three years ago, I changed my diet and exercise. Today I feel better than when I was 20, I have improved my health a lot.
Now I just work on that stress .
June 15, 2017
Although there were a few face-palm moments, like when he referenced Ancel Key's seven countries study (which has been fully debunked), and when he recommended not eating too much fat to prevent a stroke (later showing that a high fat "Mediterranean" diet prevented stroke versus a low fat diet), I learned quite a bit from this lecture series about how the brain ages and how to delay age related damage.
August 8, 2019
What? Suduko doesn't help?
Dr Polk presents, here, a series of twelve lectures that serve as a survey course about the effects of aging inasmuch as the brain is concerned. His lecture style is clear, with a pleasing cadence and voice with occasional humor (I particularly like the incident about writing a piece about nutrition while having a pastry in what I gather was a Starbucks). I stress that these lectures are a survey course since other reviewers voiced disappointment in there not being more detail...the ten page bibliography in the guidebook gives the interested student plenty (bunches?) of opportunities to follow-up on any points introduced in the lecture.
It is not surprising that the best defense against mental deterioration, aka aging brain, is good nutrition, regular exercise and minimizing stress. For my part, I try not to worry about my diet while I'm out on my 5 mile walk, listening to lectures...
As my title suggests, I was somewhat disappointed that completing puzzles (Sudoku, crossword and jumble-like daily newspaper offerings) do not help sustain or improve mental acuity....I've been fooling myself for all those years....arrrgggg. I will continue to work at those, however, since it has become part of my routine...and one must not disrupt one's routine (is that yet another symptom of an aging brain?)
Dr Polk has done a great job...I recommend the audio version, with a follow-up reading of the guidebook (the videos allow too much sedentary time). And, of course, watch for sales and those half-off coupons.
Dr Polk presents, here, a series of twelve lectures that serve as a survey course about the effects of aging inasmuch as the brain is concerned. His lecture style is clear, with a pleasing cadence and voice with occasional humor (I particularly like the incident about writing a piece about nutrition while having a pastry in what I gather was a Starbucks). I stress that these lectures are a survey course since other reviewers voiced disappointment in there not being more detail...the ten page bibliography in the guidebook gives the interested student plenty (bunches?) of opportunities to follow-up on any points introduced in the lecture.
It is not surprising that the best defense against mental deterioration, aka aging brain, is good nutrition, regular exercise and minimizing stress. For my part, I try not to worry about my diet while I'm out on my 5 mile walk, listening to lectures...
As my title suggests, I was somewhat disappointed that completing puzzles (Sudoku, crossword and jumble-like daily newspaper offerings) do not help sustain or improve mental acuity....I've been fooling myself for all those years....arrrgggg. I will continue to work at those, however, since it has become part of my routine...and one must not disrupt one's routine (is that yet another symptom of an aging brain?)
Dr Polk has done a great job...I recommend the audio version, with a follow-up reading of the guidebook (the videos allow too much sedentary time). And, of course, watch for sales and those half-off coupons.
September 23, 2016
A fascinating series of lectures about the physiology of the brain and what happens as we age. Brain function starts deteriorating by age 30. However, Professor Polk gives suggestions on what we van do to preserve brain function. The most important are exercise, socialization and diet.
March 27, 2019
I had a really hard time staying engaged with this lecture series.
Basically, here’s the sum up: we all age, to a degree how our brains age is genetic, we can age better by being more active and social, and MAN ISN’T STEM CELL SCIENCE COOL!?
Eh.
Basically, here’s the sum up: we all age, to a degree how our brains age is genetic, we can age better by being more active and social, and MAN ISN’T STEM CELL SCIENCE COOL!?
Eh.
June 5, 2021
Like many of you, I remember being a young child and saying things like, “I wish it was summer,” or “I wish it was Christmas.” My parents invariably replied with “Don’t wish your life away.”
As I have been gradually understanding that they were telling me that life is short so I should live it now, I have been thinking more about how to stay healthy and engaged in the present.
Recently I have been viewing several of the lecture series the Great Courses offer on living more fully and healthily. The Aging Brain is one of those.
Dr. Polk, who is a professor in the Department of Psychology as well as the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan has been named to The Princeton Review’s list of the Best 300 Professors in the United States. While listening to these well-organized and fascinating lectures, I can understand why he has also won numerous teaching awards. I certainly plan to view the three other lecture series he has done for The Great Courses.
Dr. Polk’s research usually combines imaging of the brain with human behaviors to see how those behaviors as well as aging physical changes the brain.
This series of twelve 30-minute lectures includes the following:
1. The Aging Mind: What Changes?
2. Why Don’t We Live Forever?
3. Is Aging a Disease?
4. Aging and Brain Structure
5. Aging and Brain Function
6. Emotional Aging
7. Strategies for an Aging Memory
8. Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
9. Parkinson’s Disease and Stroke
10. Aging Well: Staying Active
11. Aging Well: Diet and Stress
12. The Science of Immortality
Each lecture is evidence-based and explores how our brains age. As Dr. Polk explains in the included course guide, “Aging is associated with subtle declines in some cognitive abilities, but not others. As we age, we become a little more forgetful, get distracted more easily, and can’t process information quite as quickly as we once did. We also become more susceptible to certain brain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and stroke. At the same time, however…many other aspects of mental life tend to remain stable or even improve with age. Why is that? And is there anything we can do to help our brains age more gracefully?”
The course content discusses the biology of aging, how our brains change as we age, diseases that become more prevalent as we age, and what science suggests we can do to help our brains age more healthily. After all, nature and nurture both play a role in how we live and age.
Though there are a few visual aids Professor Polk uses in his discussion, they are not necessary. In fact, I listened to almost the entire series using the Great Course app when I took my walks.
This was a fascinating course. Not only did I frequently marvel at the miracle of our brain, I gained some understanding of some of the changes I am noticing in myself and other people as we age. But, maybe most important, I learned about lifestyle changes that may help prolong brain health and function.
This is a recommended lecture series no matter your age.
As I have been gradually understanding that they were telling me that life is short so I should live it now, I have been thinking more about how to stay healthy and engaged in the present.
Recently I have been viewing several of the lecture series the Great Courses offer on living more fully and healthily. The Aging Brain is one of those.
Dr. Polk, who is a professor in the Department of Psychology as well as the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan has been named to The Princeton Review’s list of the Best 300 Professors in the United States. While listening to these well-organized and fascinating lectures, I can understand why he has also won numerous teaching awards. I certainly plan to view the three other lecture series he has done for The Great Courses.
Dr. Polk’s research usually combines imaging of the brain with human behaviors to see how those behaviors as well as aging physical changes the brain.
This series of twelve 30-minute lectures includes the following:
1. The Aging Mind: What Changes?
2. Why Don’t We Live Forever?
3. Is Aging a Disease?
4. Aging and Brain Structure
5. Aging and Brain Function
6. Emotional Aging
7. Strategies for an Aging Memory
8. Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
9. Parkinson’s Disease and Stroke
10. Aging Well: Staying Active
11. Aging Well: Diet and Stress
12. The Science of Immortality
Each lecture is evidence-based and explores how our brains age. As Dr. Polk explains in the included course guide, “Aging is associated with subtle declines in some cognitive abilities, but not others. As we age, we become a little more forgetful, get distracted more easily, and can’t process information quite as quickly as we once did. We also become more susceptible to certain brain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and stroke. At the same time, however…many other aspects of mental life tend to remain stable or even improve with age. Why is that? And is there anything we can do to help our brains age more gracefully?”
The course content discusses the biology of aging, how our brains change as we age, diseases that become more prevalent as we age, and what science suggests we can do to help our brains age more healthily. After all, nature and nurture both play a role in how we live and age.
Though there are a few visual aids Professor Polk uses in his discussion, they are not necessary. In fact, I listened to almost the entire series using the Great Course app when I took my walks.
This was a fascinating course. Not only did I frequently marvel at the miracle of our brain, I gained some understanding of some of the changes I am noticing in myself and other people as we age. But, maybe most important, I learned about lifestyle changes that may help prolong brain health and function.
This is a recommended lecture series no matter your age.
August 6, 2020
"Live a physically active, socially engaging, and intellectually challenging life."
One of my favorite Great Courses so far out of the few I have gone through. While not super long, this relatively short lecture series packs a serious punch of incredible knowledge on... you guessed it, the aging brain.
I really learned a lot from this and I am walking away with a lot of great notes too taken as I went along the content.
- Lobsters and Hydra
- Brain diseases
- DNA/cellular division fun
- Diet/nutrition relevant to mental illness/brain disease
- Analysis of the brain itself; divided and explained upon what function they perform
- The cost of multitasking
- The importance of exercise
- War, abuse, trauma, drugs, smoking, and alcohol and how it impacts the brain and aging
- The damage of stress
- Stem cells
If any of those subjects caught your eye, I think you will really enjoy this content.
I highly recommend this to anyone and everyone.
One of my favorite Great Courses so far out of the few I have gone through. While not super long, this relatively short lecture series packs a serious punch of incredible knowledge on... you guessed it, the aging brain.
I really learned a lot from this and I am walking away with a lot of great notes too taken as I went along the content.
- Lobsters and Hydra
- Brain diseases
- DNA/cellular division fun
- Diet/nutrition relevant to mental illness/brain disease
- Analysis of the brain itself; divided and explained upon what function they perform
- The cost of multitasking
- The importance of exercise
- War, abuse, trauma, drugs, smoking, and alcohol and how it impacts the brain and aging
- The damage of stress
- Stem cells
If any of those subjects caught your eye, I think you will really enjoy this content.
I highly recommend this to anyone and everyone.
November 9, 2024
That’s life for you - unless you’re a lobster.
April 6, 2018
This series is available on both audio and video. I did the video, but the series would probably be just as good with just the audio since the video was mostly just Thad A. Polk standing and lecturing, with the occasional Power Point-like illustration.
This is a very informative series that explains, in layman's terms, how the brain normally functions and how brain function changes as we age. The series explains the difference between normal brain aging and the decline associated with various kinds of brain disease, such as Alzheimer's and dementia.
This is for a general audience with a high school education. You don't need to have much of a background in biology or human physiology to be able to follow the lectures.
This is a very informative series that explains, in layman's terms, how the brain normally functions and how brain function changes as we age. The series explains the difference between normal brain aging and the decline associated with various kinds of brain disease, such as Alzheimer's and dementia.
This is for a general audience with a high school education. You don't need to have much of a background in biology or human physiology to be able to follow the lectures.
December 2, 2017
This is an excellent course to describe what the aging brain becomes as we get older. What science is behind these conclusions and what we can do about it, compensate for the aging brain, or take action now to offset the effect of aging.
July 15, 2017
Showed me where I've been, where I'm at, and where I'm headed.
February 27, 2024
Part of the Great Courses series, this is an audiobook recording of 12 half-hour lectures given by Professor Thad A. Polk, who is a professor of psychology at the University of Michigan. The programme examines what happens to your brain as it ages, as well as ways to minimize the effects of aging and keep living well into old age.
I’d heard it all before, both in my studies in psychology and reading for my own interest, but these kinds of subjects can be sensitive and off-putting to some people, so I wanted to check out a course aimed at a general audience to see if it had anything of value that I could recommend to others. He doesn’t share my sense of humour and he’s sometimes a little glib, but I’m happy to report that Professor Polk manages to balance the fine line between highly technical science and a clear explanation to the layperson, and the limited series in a 30-minute format allows you to consume it quickly.
If you’re unfamiliar with this topic, or you learned it long ago and would like to brush up on the details, I can recommend it as a good source of insights on the aging process and how to grow old gracefully.
I’d heard it all before, both in my studies in psychology and reading for my own interest, but these kinds of subjects can be sensitive and off-putting to some people, so I wanted to check out a course aimed at a general audience to see if it had anything of value that I could recommend to others. He doesn’t share my sense of humour and he’s sometimes a little glib, but I’m happy to report that Professor Polk manages to balance the fine line between highly technical science and a clear explanation to the layperson, and the limited series in a 30-minute format allows you to consume it quickly.
If you’re unfamiliar with this topic, or you learned it long ago and would like to brush up on the details, I can recommend it as a good source of insights on the aging process and how to grow old gracefully.
April 14, 2023
This book is from the Great Courses series. Although the information was excellent, it was way over my head for medical knowledge and understanding. I started to give this book a 3* rating because I didn't understand half of what was being discussed. But as I am writing this review, I realized one of the recommendation was perform intensive study and learning into a field you have no experience. For me, this means medical discussions of the human brain.
I have read a number of other books like KEEP SHARP and the information provided in this book confirms the other material. As I am writing this review, I am thinking I judge too harshly with a 3* and perhaps it deserves a 5*. Let me say this … if you are in need of this type of knowledge it is great material as research and science is discussed in detail. A health brain is key to the quality of life. In the end, I will give this book 4*.
If I read this book again, it will be with a notepad and pencil by my side.
I have read a number of other books like KEEP SHARP and the information provided in this book confirms the other material. As I am writing this review, I am thinking I judge too harshly with a 3* and perhaps it deserves a 5*. Let me say this … if you are in need of this type of knowledge it is great material as research and science is discussed in detail. A health brain is key to the quality of life. In the end, I will give this book 4*.
If I read this book again, it will be with a notepad and pencil by my side.
April 27, 2022
A fascinating and informative series of lectures that can be read sequentially or in toto covering the universe of ageing. From genetic errors to behavioural interventions I’ve enhanced my knowledge of a realm I’ve already hit on the road to, if not arrived in the city limits thereof. I found the chapters on Alzheimer’s and on future research towards infinite life most interesting. Alas one can tick every box and still draw bad luck in the hand of longevity. And then, there is Keith Richards, who disappointingly did not get a mention or footnote. Telomeres and stem cell research are also introduced, however despite some hype, it is improbable that we will be living for a thousand years any time soon.
September 24, 2022
In 2016 The Teaching Company released University of Michigan Prof Thad Polk’s 12 lecture course on the scientific dynamics of “The Aging Brain.” The course begins with the structure and functional biology of the brain. The biological composition of the brain is influenced by how emotions and aging impact brain memory and sensory functions . Polk then discusses research findings about dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson, and stroke. He concludes the course by describing advanced living-well techniques for managing diet, stress, and staying active through exercise and social relations. The course also covers scientific advances for extending life through stem cell technologies, genetics, and molecular as well as cell repair. The lectures are fascinating and insightful. (P)
May 19, 2024
The Aging Brain by Thad Polk is a fantastic and very short survey on The Aging Brain. Some of its key lessons can be seen from a mile away: diet, exercise, and less stress are good for maintaining a healthy, aging brain. Genetics can help or hurt. And, as is increasingly in fashion, there are potential ways to undo some - if not all - of the damage related to aging at some point in the future. The course is now nearly a decade old, but it doesn't feel like it. There's a lot to like about it and Polk's teaching style, and I would very, very much like to see some updated version, perhaps more generalized about aging and the human body. It could be a lot of fun, especially as I enter into my thirties.
July 2, 2019
I know I entered this before, and yet it's gone. Getting really tired of Goodreads stripping out these courses because "not a book." Maybe not, but they come with books and there's very little difference between a series of lectures on video, audio, or written transcript. Bad enough we only get one page credit on reading goals per hour of audio books.
As for the series of lectures, I can't remember the specifics of what I wrote almost a year ago (which is amusing given the lecture topic). I recall it being very similar material to other lectures I've heard. OK, but not much new to learn from it.
As for the series of lectures, I can't remember the specifics of what I wrote almost a year ago (which is amusing given the lecture topic). I recall it being very similar material to other lectures I've heard. OK, but not much new to learn from it.
July 12, 2019
I already knew a lot of this information, but the courses also corrected things that I misunderstood.
The course covers the issues with telomeres and the problem with attempting to make them longer in order to extend life. It also goes into the theories on why mental ability seems to deteriorate in some elderly and stays virtually unchanged in other elderly. I was especially interested in the history of Altzeimer's Disease, and the course also covers Michael J. Fox, and his early onset of Parkinson's Disease at age 31.
All in all I was glad to have gone through these Great Courses audiobook lessons. I will probably listen again.
The course covers the issues with telomeres and the problem with attempting to make them longer in order to extend life. It also goes into the theories on why mental ability seems to deteriorate in some elderly and stays virtually unchanged in other elderly. I was especially interested in the history of Altzeimer's Disease, and the course also covers Michael J. Fox, and his early onset of Parkinson's Disease at age 31.
All in all I was glad to have gone through these Great Courses audiobook lessons. I will probably listen again.
June 22, 2020
К сожалению, не заметил сразу, что автор поставил на поток штамповку лекций типа "Стареющий мозг", "Обучающийся мозг" и так далее.
Особых претензий к изложенному материалу нет - он честно и корректно описывает процесс старения, что именно меняется, что сохраняется и так далее.
Но видно что это начитано не потому, что "не мог не говорить" как происходит с гениальными лекциями, а потому что хотелось сделать серию лекций.
В принципе, и к издателю нет особых претензий - качественный материал от добросовестного ученого.
Но все же не рекомендую - невысокое соотношение потраченного времени и полученных знаний и просто удовольствия.
Особых претензий к изложенному материалу нет - он честно и корректно описывает процесс старения, что именно меняется, что сохраняется и так далее.
Но видно что это начитано не потому, что "не мог не говорить" как происходит с гениальными лекциями, а потому что хотелось сделать серию лекций.
В принципе, и к издателю нет особых претензий - качественный материал от добросовестного ученого.
Но все же не рекомендую - невысокое соотношение потраченного времени и полученных знаний и просто удовольствия.
June 8, 2018
Part of the Great Courses series, this book/audio book is a fascinating journey through not just what changes during aging, but the science behind it. Don't have a degree in biology or other scientific area? Don't worry. The explanations are clear enough so that you can actually understand them, which means that when Polk, the author, gets to the part about current scientific discoveries, you can actually follow along.
January 20, 2021
I enjoyed Polk's lectures on the Addictive Brain but this one was a let down. I don't think I learned anything new. The information about those who want to stop aging is just depressing. But that is just my opinion. The gist of the book is that our executive functions diminish over the years, beginning in our thirties. If you exercise and eat right you can delay the worse of aging until you are in your seventies and eighties. Oh, boy.
May 11, 2021
Interesting class on the latest science of aging, as it relates to our brains. Much of what Polk has to say is encouraging. Though we tend to dwell on the losses that occur with aging, there are also many gains that offer a great deal of compensation. Aging brains aren't as nimble, but are richer in wisdom as cultures throughout history have understood.
October 20, 2022
For sure my brain is aging ! This book confirmed many of my beliefs about aging but it also taught me that as we get older our brains hang on to the things that we have done many times. That is a comfort to me. I should never have to figure out how to sew something. I have sewed so much, that stuff is automatic.
June 11, 2025
Polk is a super conversational lecturer, and you can tell that he's not reading his notes. He's presenting just as if he would to a class. It's really intriguing stuff, and there's a lot of information that is actually applicable in that it can be utilized for preventative purposes. This was super enjoyable to learn, and it's worth listening to a few times.
December 4, 2019
Lecture series on longevity research, focusing on cognitive decline. If I remember correctly I enjoyed the lecture on memory the best. Also liked the material on nutrition. Needed this because I am getting old, but aren't we all?
April 17, 2020
Plainly delivered and informative. So helpful, I've made meticulous notes to return to and ponder, as well refresh what I have learned from this course. I eagerly look for another course for enlightenment.
August 7, 2020
I listened to the series of lectures from Great Courses. It is an interesting review of what happens to our bodies and our brains as we age. As with everything else health related the things we can control are getting plenty of exercise, eating healthy, and socializing.
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