How Does The Aging Brain Change – Latest Expose

Aging brain sets in our lives a number of changes. Our memories begin to fade. Our attention spans begin to decrease. We are unable to take decisions quickly and sharply. Our cognitive functions diminish. Most of these changes are attributed to several structural changes that take place in the brain with aging. This has been a subject of keen interest among researchers.

Studies reveal the aging brain to be associated with some important structural changes that include: shrinkage of brain mass, thinning of brain outer surface, decrease of brain white matter and decrease in chemical messengers of the brain.

Most of these changes take place due to diminution in the number of brain cells in an aging brain. Other causes include decrease in synaptic connections, reduction of myelin – a fatty substance that constitutes brain white matter, and lesser secretion of serotonin and other neurotransmitters that act as messengers in the brain.

Since the brain is the seat of all mental activity, these changes in the brain progressively retard all mental capacity of an aging individual. Moreover, since brain controls balanced functioning of the entire body including it’s interaction with the external environment, these changes in an aging brain compromise the co-ordination capabilities of various organs of the body and its overall response to external stimuli. That is why aging people have locomotion and co-ordination difficulties, and their responses to external situations are not always very balanced.

Cell-based studies such as genomics, cloning, stem cell transplantation etc. are increasingly coming to the forefront to explore the possibilities of reducing cellular decay with aging and restoring the cells the capacity to repair themselves (which incidentally diminishes with aging) through external intervention such as supplements, medicines, special diets etc. The main objectives of these studies are to delay the onset of aging, including brain aging, and give people the opportunity to live younger and healthier for longer times. The progress so far has been very encouraging and holds lots of hope.