Pathology of the Aging Human Nervous System


Book Description

This book is a concise and practical compendium of neuropathological information for all professionals whose responsibility it is to make diagnoses, care, and help elderly humans afflicted with neurological and/or psychiatric disorders. The term neuropathology includes a multitude of disciplines including pathology, histology, genetics, immunology, biochemistry, radiology, etc. This disciplinary approach is reflected in this book. This new edition has been completely revised and brought up to date from the 20th to the 21st century. Basic neuroscientists were invited to contribute chapters explaining and describing basic scientific principles underlying the neuropathological disciplines. Also, additional information is provided concerning medic-legal issues, neuropharmacology, and a list of support groups for the elderly neurologically or mentally impaired in Brazil, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the USA.







Autonomic Nervous System in Old Age


Book Description

In recent years, all western industrialized countries, and to a growing extent even many developed and developing Asian nations, have witnessed a remarkable growth in numbers of older people [1]. Future projections anticipate continued increases, particularly in numbers of individuals who are 85 years and older [1]. Although US statistics have indicated recent declines in disability trends [2], overall numbers of older individuals living with disability and functional dependence are likely to increase given projected increases in life expectancy [3]. For example, average life expectancy for women born today in the United States is nearly 80; for men, it is nearly 75 [1]. With these considerations in mind, many investigators have begun to pay increasing attention to identifying factors which may predict the transition from health and independence to disability and dependence in older individuals, eventually providing useful targets for interventions [3, 4]




Sense and Senility: The Neuropathology of the Aged Human Brain


Book Description

nly two things are certain in life, one is that all of us will inevita Obly grow older, the other is that at some point during or at the end of this process we shall die. Inherent to the passage of time is a deterio ration in the structural and functional integrity of our bodies, this pro gressing to such an extent that one or more organ systems will eventu ally begin to fail with the continued health and well-being of the individual coming under threat. Age-associated deficiencies in the musculo-skeletal, cardiovascular, or endocrine systems producing arthri tis, hypertension, stroke or diabetes are all too apparent in our elderly population yet internally caused failures in the function of the nervous system provide the common, and mostly intractable, problems of memory and intellect or locomotion that face and frustrate clinicians. Perhaps the most important factor which can decide the outcome of research studies professing to examine the effects of the passage of time (i. e. the 'process of aging') on the function of the nervous system, or indeed any other organ system, is the selection of appropriate or repre sentative subjects for investigation. The heart of this problem lies in defining what might be considered as 'normal' aging as distinct from age-associated disease; setting the 'goal posts of normality' continues to 1 be a matter of considerable debate.







Aging and Recovery of Function in the Central Nervous System


Book Description

The mammalian central nervous system is a remarkable structure which has attracted many new investigators, as evidenced by the dramatic increase in scientific publications dealing with neurobiology. Every day basic scientists conduct new and exciting experiments, resulting in remarkable discoveries des tined to help mankind. Unfortunately many of these new findings are slow to be accepted by the clinical world. This is especially true in the area of brain trauma, where the present prognosis is usually very poor. We have known for quite some time that the mammalian central nervous system is capable of compensating for severe damage in many different ways, and under some circumstances behav ioral compensation can be observed. However, much is still to be learned about the various factors and events that lead to functional recovery and those condi tions that do not. It is this challenge that originally excited a number of the contributors to this volume to explore the subject of recovery from brain damage. One factor in particular that is known to change the prognosis of recovery is the age of the organism at the time of the damage. This book is an attempt to explore this important variable. Most of the literature concerning aging deals with widespread degenerative changes and paints a grim picture for the aging central nervous system in terms of recovery of function following trauma.




Sense and Senility: The Neuropathology of the Aged Human Brain


Book Description

nly two things are certain in life, one is that all of us will inevita Obly grow older, the other is that at some point during or at the end of this process we shall die. Inherent to the passage of time is a deterio ration in the structural and functional integrity of our bodies, this pro gressing to such an extent that one or more organ systems will eventu ally begin to fail with the continued health and well-being of the individual coming under threat. Age-associated deficiencies in the musculo-skeletal, cardiovascular, or endocrine systems producing arthri tis, hypertension, stroke or diabetes are all too apparent in our elderly population yet internally caused failures in the function of the nervous system provide the common, and mostly intractable, problems of memory and intellect or locomotion that face and frustrate clinicians. Perhaps the most important factor which can decide the outcome of research studies professing to examine the effects of the passage of time (i. e. the 'process of aging') on the function of the nervous system, or indeed any other organ system, is the selection of appropriate or repre sentative subjects for investigation. The heart of this problem lies in defining what might be considered as 'normal' aging as distinct from age-associated disease; setting the 'goal posts of normality' continues to 1 be a matter of considerable debate.




Geriatric Neurology


Book Description

Aging affects neurological function leading to neurological disease As society grows older, so do the neurological problems associated with aging. These can be new neurological deficits due to the aging process itself, or the effect of aging on already existing neurological conditions. Neurologists will spend increasing amounts of time managing patients with age-related neurological complications. Geriatric Neurology brings together the wisdom of world-leading experts. They have crafted a new textbook to define this emerging subspecialty from basic science through clinical assessment and medical management to social aspects of patient care. Geriatric Neurology covers: The aging brain in neurology Assessment of the geriatric neurology patient Neurological conditions in the elderly Therapeutics for the geriatric neurology patient Management issues beyond therapeutics Comprehensive in scope but with practical focus for effective patient care, Geriatric Neurology provides top-of-class guidance for the management of elderly patients with neurological disorders.




Functional Neurobiology of Aging


Book Description

Some well-known age-related neurological diseases include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, deafness, and blindness. Even more common are the problems of aging which are not due to disease but to more subtle impairments in neurobiological systems, including impairments in vision, memory loss, muscle weakening, and loss of reproductive functions, changes in body weight, and sleeplessness. As the average age of our society increases, diseases of aging continue to become more common, and conditions associated with aging need more attention by doctors and researchers. In 1991, patients over the age of 65 saw their doctors an average of eight times per year. Research funding is provided by the Neuroscience and Neuropsychology of Aging (NNA) Program, which is run by the National Institute on Aging. This book offers a comprehensive overview of all topics related to functional impairments which are related to the aging brain and nervous system. It is organized according to four general functions: movement, senses, memory, and neuroendocrine regulation. Written by the leading researchers in the field, this comprehensive work addresses both impairments associated with diseases and not associated with diseases, making it easier to understand the mechanisms involved. Functional Neurobiology of Aging is an important reference for professionals and students involved in aging research, as well as physicians who need to recognize and understand age-related impairments. - Organized by function, making it easy to find and understand the material - Addresses impairments both associated with diseases and not associated with diseases - Written by leading researchers in the field - Most comprehensive source of information on the neurobiology of aging




Principles of Neural Aging


Book Description

The main purpose of this book is to understand the principles governing the longevity and loss of maintenance capacity of the nervous system. Neural aging is presented by specialists and even pioneers in their own fields, including evolutionary biology, genetics, biochemistry, biophysics, embryology, neurology, and pathology. It is thoroughly edited and illustrated, and organized in such a way as to fit, on the one hand the needs of a critical review and, on the other hand the aims of an introductory course on the biology of neural aging. With the progressive aging of the world population, there is an absolute need for a better understanding of the causes of longevity and the means to promote it. The considerations and hypotheses put forward in many chapters will stimulate research and thus be useful for those who intend to initiate or proceed in the fascinating field of neural aging.