Vfcs Presentation 04232009 Rev

Susan Hardwicke, PhD

[email protected]

Understanding the Aging Brain

©Copyright Susan Hardwicke, Ph.D. 2009. All rights reserved.

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Purpose To define issues related to the aging brain To provide information about the brain To summarize recent findings relevant to brain aging

To suggest ways to implement research findings To answer your questions

I have personally applied strategies to help clients, as well as to recover from chemo brain.


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“Framing the Issues” Aging=accumulation of changes in an organism over time

Human aging: Physical change Psychological change Social change

Important to distinguish between: Universal aging vs. probabilistic aging Chronological aging vs. biological aging and social aging

Proximal aging vs. distal aging Individual aging vs. population aging


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Trends & Indicators Incidence of Alzheimer’s disease expected to skyrocket with “Baby Boom” generation

Incidence of Type II diabetes (>800,000 annually) on the rise, with incidence of early onset Alzheimer’s increasing

Obesity rates continue to climb Health care costs for diseases associated with aging continue to increase sharply

Medical approach addresses treatment over prevention and reversal of symptoms

Medications increase risk of liver disease


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Trends & Indicators -2 Increased spending by individuals on preventive strategies

Increased spending on alternative health strategies, practitioners

Alternative medicine focused on prevention

Increased membership rates in fitness organizations and exercise programs

Increased number of organizations with obesity- and food-related missions


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“Future Shock” in Health

Disease and aging virtually synonymous Aging population taking 10-30 medications daily

Large segment of population in long-term care for chronic or catastrophic disease

Increased burden on healthy workers to support population segments with diseases and disorders

Governments and families forced to make choices between basic services/necessities and medical treatment

How to avert “future shock”? Prevention & mitigation


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Fears and Concerns

Is AD inevitable?

Will I/my loved one lose memory?

Will I lose my mind?

Will my personality change?


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Aging Brain: Why It’s Important Now

1. Aging (65+) population growth (from 12% - 20% by 2030)

2. Increased incidence in Alzheimer’s Diseasel Current rate is 13% of 65+ age groupl Related to Type II diabetes, incidence may increase dramatically

3. Rising costs of care for aging population with cognitive decline, AD

4. Social costs of cognitive decline5. Personal fears


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1. A person loses 10,000 brain cells every day.

FACT or MYTH?

3. We use only a small part of our brains every day.4. IQ peaks at age 20, declines over

time, and drops off considerably after age 65.

2. A person’s brain function is determined by genes and very little can be done to change it.


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Brain Research is Forcing a Change in Paradigm, Exploding Myths

1. A person loses 10,000 brain cells every day.

2. A person’s brain is mostly determined by genes and there isn’t much that can be done to change it.3. We use only a small part of our brains every day.

MYTH - disproved

MYTH – with some truth

MYTH – more support for opposite

MYTH - study was flawed

4. IQ peaks at age 20, declines over time, and drops off considerably after age 65.


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20 Years of Brain Research

New field of cognitive neuroscience helps understand the functions of different brain areas

Neurology and neuroscience expand knowledge of types of cells

Exploded myths about brain: Brain cells communicate with each other (cell signaling)

Brain can regenerate (neurogenesis) Brain can rewire itself (neuroplasticity) Brain/thoughts affect physiological functions

Supplements, pharmaceuticals, exercise play important role


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Neurogenesis: The Formation of New Neurogenesis: The Formation of New Brain CellsBrain Cells

Pluripotent stem cell

Multipotent stem

cell/Neural Stem Cell

Undifferentiated neurons

Neurons

Glial cells


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Anatomy of a NeuronDendrites- receive electrical and chemical impulses from other cells

Cell body- contains the nucleus of the cell’s DNA blueprint for division and replication, and RNA for protein synthesis

Axon- long extension from the cell body that conducts electrical impulses, transports enzymes/chemicals


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What is a Glial Cell? 10x more numerous than neurons

Multiple types, roles Astrocytes pcreate the blood-brain barrier that protects the CNS

Communication w/neurons to help regulate excitability

Modulate neurotransmitter transmission (e.g., glutamate)


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Glial Cells’ Protective Role

Glial cells form the myelin sheath that protects and facilitates electrical transmission


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Electrical Transmission1. Mitochondrion

2. Synapse

3. Electrical signal

Courtesy of wikimedia.org


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Neurotransmitters Chemical compounds (amines and amino acids) and polypeptides* manufactured in the neuron or human body

Excitatory and inhibitory

Regulate mood, activity, and storage of information Stored in vesicles

near axons Role: transfer informational signals across the synapse, then return (through reuptake process) to original site

>60 neurotransmitters!


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Cell Cycle Normal cells

Contact inhibition Cell cycle control Cell differentiation

Programmed cell death: apoptosis

Cancer cellsUncontrolled growth (malfunction of programmed cell death)


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Aging: What Happens (Inevitable?)

Cellular aging Hayflick Limit on cell replication Telomeres Imperfect replication of cells (DNA damage) - related to cellular energy

Organismal aging Declining ability to respond to stress

Increased risk of disease


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The Proximal and Distal Issues

Proximal: “Use it or lose it” principal

Proximal: Sedentary lifestyles Proximal: Increased alcohol consumption Distal: Early disease, disorders untreated

Distal: Lifetime of neurotoxins Distal: Surgeries, chemotherapy, injuries


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Areas of Cognitive Decline - Probabilistic

Memory Language Focus Processing speed, not quality

Decision-making Mood


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Brain Health Model


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Wellness Model

Factors

Family history

Body Mass Index

Diet & supplementation

Age

Activity/exercise

Medical history

Lifestyle

Gender

Prevention & Mitigation Strategies

Screening

Emotional/Spiritual

Diet & Supplementation

Physical Exercise & Lifestyle

Mental Exercise


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Rationale for Model

Achieve clear sense of purpose Take advantage of recent research and promote new brain cell growth (neurogenesis)

Improve the quality of new brain cells Enhance intercellular communications Enhance brain’s biochemistry Reinforce or develop pathways in the brain


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Start with Emotional/Spiritual

1. Make a conscious decision to improve or maintain your health

2. Achieve a positive emotional state DAILY3. Reflect on your core spiritual beliefs4. Build your sense of purpose5. Try mindfulness6. Increase your enjoyment of being alive every day


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Diet and Supplements

Remember: What you ingest is used to construct cells and in cell communications

Do not ingest toxins-- eliminate chemicals, additives, and artificial flavors and sweeteners

Decrease unhealthy fats and increase healthy fats

Increase protein Add folic acid, probiotics, and other supplements that directly benefit the brain in particular, and energy in general

Obtain nutrients from dietary sources whenever possible!


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Research-based Brain Nutrients

Essential Fatty Acids

Amino Acids

Sugars

Minerals

Choline and B-vitamins


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Research Shows Benefits of these Nutrients

DHA (found in Omega-3 fatty acids) Folic Acid (800 mcg daily) Turmeric/circumin has tumor suppressant and anti-plaque benefits

Gingko biloba facilitates dendritic growth

Niacin- evidence based on dietary niacin Evaluate your medications for potential side effects on brain function, interactions with supplements

These research findings are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Consult your health care practitioner.


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Physical Exercise

EXERCISE STIMULATES THE FORMATION OF NEW BRAIN CELLS!! Cardio Weight training

Unless you formerly worked out, start with walking (preferably outdoors)


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Mental Exercise

15 minutes a day, every day. Repeat the same type of game for several weeks to build pathways in the brain. Concentration/memory puzzles and games Sudoku Trivial pursuit Online memory games Cranium

Reduce or eliminate television Fill moments of “dead time” by deliberate thinking or reading, not allowing your mind to wander.

Get enough sleep to help your brain reorganize


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Additional Information

Resources available via email

More nutritional information

BLOG: www.brain-hub.blogspot.com

EMAIL: [email protected]

Health & Medicine

Vfcs Presentation 04232009 Rev