- Ageing brain
The
human brain goes through several large-scale changes as the individual progresses fromembryo through to old age.Pre-natal development
Developmental neurobiology concerns itself with the development of the brain. The process of
neurogenesis populates the brain, thenprogrammed cell death cuts the growing brain down to size.Adolescence
During
adolescence the brain goes through a process of synaptic pruning.Aging
Over the years, the human brain shows a decline in function and a change in
gene expression . This modulation in gene expression may be due tooxidative DNA damage atpromoter regions in the genome. Genes that are down-regulated over the age of 40 include:* GluR1
AMPA receptor subunit
* NMDA R2A receptorsubunit (involved in learning)
* Subunits of the GABA-A receptor
* Genes involved inlong-term potentiation e.g.calmodulin 1 and CAM kinase II alpha.
* Calcium signalling genes
* Synaptic plasticity genes
* Synaptic vesicle release & recycling genesGenes that are upregulated include:
* Genes associated with
stress response andDNA repair
*Antioxidant defenceNormal aging is distinct from
Neurodegenerative disease .DNA damage due tooxidation increase as the brain ages, possibly due to impaired mitochondrial function.ee also
*
Aging
*DNA damage theory of aging
*Life extension
*List of life extension related topics
*Memory and aging
*Senescence External links
* [http://websites.afar.org/site/PageServer?pagename=IA_Advocacy_BrainGame_Home Brain puzzles from Infoaging.org]
* [http://websites.afar.org/site/PageServer?pagename=IA_expert_reiman Researchers Gain New Insights into the Aging Brain]
* [http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20060624/fob5.asp Study suggests aging brain shifts gears to emotional advantage]
* [http://www.vigorousmind.com Brain exercise software(commercial)]
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