Aging is not necessarily accompanied by dementia
Scientists have received another argument in favor of the opinion that aging is not necessarily accompanied by a disorder of mental abilities and mental functions – a study of the brain of a woman who died at the age of 115 found no serious pathological changes, according to an article published in the journal Neurobiology of Aging.
The Dutch centenarian, whose name is not mentioned in the message of the publisher of the magazine, the Elsevier company, ordered at the age of 82 to transfer her body to scientists after her death. When she turned 111, she contacted scientists and asked if she could be useful for them, after which she underwent a series of examinations.
Most likely, we are talking about Hendrikje van Andel-Schipper, who died at the end of August 2005 in Holland at the age of 115.
During lifetime examinations at 112 and 113 years old, the long-lived woman, about whom the publication writes, gave the impression of "a lively and confident lady, full of interest in the world around her, including local and world politics and sports."
"She was very enthusiastic about the opportunity to benefit science," the authors write.
The Dutch centenarian moved to a nursing home only at the age of 105, mainly due to poor eyesight. Ironically, she weighed very little at birth, and no one expected her to survive.
She underwent a series of neurological and psychological tests at the ages of 112 and 113. The results were normal, there were no signs of senile dementia, problems with memory or attention. In general, the level of her mental abilities was higher than the average for people aged 60 to 75 years.
As planned, her body was handed over to scientists after her death at the age of 115. At that time, she was the oldest woman in the world.
Scientists aimed to test the assumption that Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia inevitably develop in all people who live long enough.
The autopsy found no signs of atherosclerosis anywhere in her body. The examination of the brain showed very few deviations – the number of brain cells was close to what is observed in people 60-80 years old.
The key discovery was that there were no anomalies inherent in Alzheimer's disease in the brain of the long-lived woman. This disease usually occurs in old age, in people over 70 years of age, its frequency reaches 30%. The disease is associated with the deposition of amyloid protein in the brain tissues, which causes degeneration of neurons, and a violation of the transmission of nerve impulses. Patients have a progressive decrease in intelligence, memory disorder and behavior change. No deposits of amyloid protein were found in the brain of the subject.
This unique case provides new opportunities in the study of ways to preserve brain functions in older people. As the number of people living to 100 years or more increases, the study proves that age-related deterioration of brain functions is not inevitable.
"Our observations show, contrary to the prevailing ideas, that the limits of human cognitive abilities can extend far beyond the usually assumed limits, and efforts to prevent brain dysfunctions associated with aging can bring long–term benefits," says the study's lead author, Professor Gert Holstege from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.
Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru11.06.2008