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Understanding Memory and Brain Aging Myths

Uncover the truth about aging myths related to memory, IQ, and physical decline. Learn effective methods to counter cognitive deficits and improve brain health. Explore Alzheimer's disease symptoms, biology, prevalence, and potential treatments.

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Understanding Memory and Brain Aging Myths

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  1. Biological Myths of Aging • Memory declines drastically with age for all people. • IQ declines drastically with age in all people. • Learning becomes more difficult as we get older. • There is nothing you can do counter these aging deficits.

  2. Physical Decline with Aging

  3. Nervous System Decline with Age • Decrease in brain size/weight • steady, slow, and mild • Decrease in Brain blood flow • Decrease in the use of Glucose • Decrease in Sensory Systems

  4. Brain Weight and Aging

  5. Senses Decline with Aging

  6. Memory Decline with Aging • Age-Related Deficits: • long-term memory • physical-motor tasks • free recall learning • requiring conscious recollection and effort • No Age-Related Deficits: • short-term memory • non physical-motor tasks • recognition learning • easily organized task structures or cues

  7. Recall and Recognition in Adulthood • Recognition • stable • Recall • declines

  8. Intelligence and Aging

  9. Reducing Cognitive Decline 1. Live in Favorable Environmental Circumstances above-average education high complexity occupations above-average income maintaining intact families 2. Be involved in activities typical of complex and intellectually stimulating environments extensive reading travel attending cultural events continuing education activities participation in clubs and professional associations 3. Be married to a spouse with high cognitive status

  10. Conclusion • Only certain types of memory show declines with aging. • IQ does not show a drastic decline with age. • The ability to learn does not deviate much as we get older. • There is plenty you can do counter aging deficits. • Stop smoking • Exercise regularly • Eat properly • Engage in learning activities • Stay in touch with friends, families, communities

  11. Dementia • Cognitive disorder that involves a gradual deterioration of brain functioning that affects judgement, memory, language, and other cognitive processes • Caused my several different medical conditions (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington’s, syphilis, stroke, HIV, head trauma) and by abuse of alcohol and drugs

  12. Alzheimer's Disease: Symptoms • memory impairment • starts slow and gradual • forget events, lose objects • agnosia - can’t recognize objects • aphasia - language problems • apraxia - motor problems • emotional changes • aggressive, agitated, public displays, wandering • average survival is 8-10 years

  13. Alzheimer's Prevalence by Age

  14. Alzheimer's: Biology • chromosomes 1, 14, 19, and 21 • general brain atrophy • neuronal degeneration • decreased cerebral metabolism • general decay of acetylcholine system • especially in the basal forebrain • neurofibrillary tangles • beta-amyloid plaques

  15. General Brain Atrophy

  16. Neuronal Degeneration Normal Alzheimer’s

  17. Decreased Cerebral Metabolism Alzheimer's Normal

  18. Decay of Acetylcholine System *

  19. Neurofibrillary Tangles • Microtubules: • Provide structural support • Are pathways for: • Nutrients • Waste products • Neurotransmitters • Made of Tubulin • In Alzheimer’s Disease: • Excess Tau protein binds builds up • Tau binds with Tubulin and tangles the microtubules preventing them from properly functioning

  20. Beta-Amyloid Plaque Formation • Key enzymes: • Alpha-secretase • Beta-secretase • Gamma-secretase • Beta-Amyloid Precursor Protein (BAPP) • is cut or cleaved by these enzymes • three different protein fragments form • Protein fragments: • p3 • alpha and gamma • harmless • 40 amino acid string • beta and gamma • harmless • 42 amino acid string • beta and gamma • TOXIC

  21. Beta-Amyloid Plaques Beta-Amyloid Plaques Tau Filaments • Pathology: • Interferes with Ca2+ regulation • Increases free radicals • Stimulates mircroglia aggregation • Increases inflammation

  22. Alzheimer's: Treatment • nothing can correct the damage • possible agents that slow the deterioration: • education • tacrine hydrochloride • estrogen replacement therapy • vitamin E • aspirin • helping patients adjust to memory loss • memory wallet, key baskets, tags

  23. Alzheimer's: Memory Tricks

  24. Alzheimer's Cure? • Vaccine? • using the beta-amyloid peptide fragments • Gamma-Secretase Inhibitors? • to block the inappropriate cleavage of the • beta-amyloid precursor protein

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