Older means wiser: new data on brain aging
In addition to a huge amount of up–to–date information about the latest achievements of neuroscience at Neuroscience 2011 - the annual congress of the American Society of Neuroscientists, held on November 12-16 in Washington, D.C., researchers from all over the world presented the results of recent studies devoted to the study of the features of the brain of elderly people. Within the framework of the discussed works, both the characteristics of normal brain aging, including memory disorders, deterioration of sleep quality and problems with decision-making, and the potential positive effects of exercise, hormone therapy and social interactions were studied.
Experts believe that the human brain can remain in a relatively good functional state until a very old age. They hope that the latest advances in neuroscience will improve the quality of life of more than 500 million people around the world who have reached the age of 65 and older.
Among other things , the following data were announced at the congress:
1. The brains of older people who are in good physical shape show fewer signs of aging, while, compared with their peers, they get better results when performing memory tests. These data indicate that physical activity can reduce the severity of age-related brain changes. (Gene Alexander, PhD).
2. Short-term estrogen therapy causes an increase in brain regions involved in the processes of concentration of attention and the formation of long-term memory in post-menopausal women. This fact suggests that brain plasticity may be the key to maintaining cognitive function. (Paul Newhouse, MD).
3. Unlike young people, sleep does not improve the ability of elderly people to memorize. (Rebecca Spencer, PhD).
4. In old age, despite the deterioration of cognitive function and other age-related changes, the brain's ability to process information received in the process of social communication remains. Based on this, older people best assimilate information presented in a social context. (Angela Gutchess, PhD).
5. Elderly people who have difficulties in making decisions prefer a "tit in the hand" – a little encouragement is better here and now than the expectation of larger rewards in the future. (Kameko Halfmann, PhD).
According to the moderator of the press conference, Dr. Barbara Sahakian from the University of Cambridge, who is working on the creation of methods to improve cognitive function, "despite the fact that the processes occurring in the body begin to slow down with age, provided that physical and mental activity is maintained, the human brain is able to continue to grow and change. The new data presented at the conference not only clarify some of the mechanisms of brain aging, but also provide information that should be conveyed to the target audience, that is, elderly people who may well take an active part in preserving the health of their own brain."
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of the Society for Neuroscience press release –
Older and sometimes wiser: new imaging research shows strengths and weaknesses of the aging brain
(you can also read the abstracts of the reports of the authors mentioned in the text at this link).
17.11.2011