3 ARTICLES REGARDING THE AGING BRAIN
ARTICLE #1: Exercise Slows Brain Aging By 10 Years
DESCRIPTION
As the brain ages there are a number of decrements in cognitive functioning which include thinking speed, reasoning, organization, and memory. This article discusses a recent study in the journal Neurology (see the link in the article) that researched whether exercise and a very active lifestyle slowed cognitive decline. The results of the study demonstrated that “People who reported doing more physical activity showed higher scores on cognitive tests—consistent with previous studies linking more exercise to better brain health.”
SOURCE
Time, March 23, 2016, by Alice Park
LINK TO RESOURCE
http://time.com/4269672/exercise-brain-aging
ARTICLE #2: Keeping mentally active doesn’t stave off Alzheimer’s disease — only its symptoms
DESCRIPTION
A study in the journal Neurology (link to the journal is in the article), as reported in this Washington Post article, made comparison of groups of different levels educational attainment, as well as physical and mental activity. The researchers found that while the process of Alzheimer’s disease continues to be progressive. “Keeping your brain active may not prevent the disease itself … but at least it can keep cognitive decline at bay — and enrich the quality of life with or without Alzheimer’s.” The disease does continue to progress but at a slower rate and cognitive decline, as measured by the symptom pattern is also slowed significantly.
SOURCE
Washington Post, February 26, 2016, by Erin Blakemore
LINK TO RESOURCE
(Tiny URL) http://tinyurl.com/gnqllxa
ARTICLE #3: Vitamin B12 as Protection for the Aging Brain
DESCRIPTION
Are vitamin supplements important? Apparently B-complex and especially B12 are very important. Most accept the fact that pregnant women should take supplements. Also, it has been found that B6 helps ameliorate symptoms of PMMD and PMS. This article points out that “symptoms of B12 deficiency include fatigue, tingling and numbness in the hands and feet, muscle weakness and loss of reflexes, which may progress to confusion, depression, memory loss and dementia as the deficiency grows more severe.” What about the brain, aging, and disease processes? “Depression, dementia and mental impairment are often associated with” a deficiency of B12 and its companion B vitamin folate, “especially in the elderly.” The article discusses the positive results of B12 supplements and the validating empirical studies.
SOURCE
New York Times, September 6, 2016 , by Jane Brody
SOURCE
(Tiny URL) http://tinyurl.com/hlyv4yx
CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
•These articles will be helpful in covering two different aspects of the course: the brain in the neuroscience chapter and the brain in aging in the development chapter.
•According to the articles: what are the problems in the gaining brain?
•What disease processes are associated with the aging brain?
•What interventions can be made to ameliorate and slow down the changes in the brain?
*These articles also can be discussed in the nature-nurture lessons as environmental interactions that interact with biological changes.
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