They will be discussed in more detail below.īrain changes do not occur to the same extent in all brain regions. 13 Leukoariosis/WML increase with age and may indicate subclinical ischaemia. 3 White matter may decline with age, the myelin sheath deteriorating after around the age of 40 even in normal ageing and it has been suggested that the late myelinating regions of the frontal lobes are most affected by white matter lesions (WML) 10, 11, 12) although not all studies support this view. The role of white matter in the ageing brain also needs to be considered. 9 However research in the latter area suffers from small numbers of cases. 8 Functional organisational change may occur and compensate in a similar way to that found in patients after recovery from moderate traumatic brain injury. 4 Conversely a decrease in dendritic synapses or loss of synaptic plasticity has also been described. Dendritic sprouting may occur thus maintaining a similar number of synapses 5 and compensating for any cell death. 7 Additionly, there may be changes in dentritic arbour, spines, and synapses. 6 It has been suggested that a decline in neuronal volume rather than number contributes to the changes in an ageing brain and that it may be related to sex with different areas most affected in men and women. The shrinking of the grey matter is frequently reported to stem from neuronal cell death 3, 4, 5 but whether this is solely responsible or even the primary finding is not entirely clear. 2 The manner in which this occurs is less clear. It has been widely found that the volume of the brain and/or its weight declines with age at a rate of around 5% per decade after age 40 1 with the actual rate of decline possibly increasing with age particularly over age 70. Biological ageing is not tied absolutely to chronological ageing and it may be possible to slow biological ageing and even reduce the possibility of suffering from age related diseases such as dementia. Also protective are a healthy diet, low to moderate alcohol intake, and regular exercise. But, it is not all negative, higher levels of education or occupational attainment may act as a protective factor. Genetics, neurotransmitters, hormones, and experience all have a part to play in brain ageing.
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This may be an attempt to compensate and recruit additional networks or because specific areas are no longer easily accessed. Memory decline also occurs with ageing and brain activation becomes more bilateral for memory tasks. As our vasculature ages and our blood pressure rises the possibility of stroke and ischaemia increases and our white matter develops lesions. As we age our brains shrink in volume, particularly in the frontal cortex. Ageing has its effects on the molecules, cells, vasculature, gross morphology, and cognition. The effects of ageing on the brain and cognition are widespread and have multiple aetiologies.