Tippett - Building an ageless mind : preventing and fighting brain aging and disease

Building an Ageless Mind

ROWMAN & LITTLEFIELD PUBLISHERS, INC.

Lanham Boulder New York Toronto Plymouth, UK

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Tippett, William J., 1974 .

Building an ageless mind : preventing and fighting brain aging and disease / William J. Tippett.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-4422-2048-5 (cloth : alk. paper) ISBN 978-1-4422-2049-2 (electronic)

1. BrainDiseasesPreventionPopular works. 2. BrainAgingPreventionPopular works. 3. Memory disordersPreventionPopular works. I. Title.

RC386.2.T57 2013

616.805dc23

2013000227

TM The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information Sciences Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992.

Printed in the United States of America

To Jennifer, Abigail, Myles, and Declan. Thank you for unconditional love and support.

This book represents reference material only. It is not intended as a medical manual, and the data presented here is meant to assist the reader in making informed choices regarding wellness. This book is not a replacement for treatment(s) that may have been suggested by the readers personal physician. If the reader believes he or she is experiencing a medical issue, professional medical help is recommended. Mention of particular products, companies, or authorities in this book does not entail endorsement by the publisher or author.

Aging is an inevitable part of life, and as we age, our brains change. The way they change, however, can be influenced by numerous factors. While we are small children, the goal of our parents and teachers is to provide us with enriched, stimulating environments to facilitate the greatest possible chance of developing normally, or in some cases even exceptionally. Exceptional here is not in regard to above average performance, but rather refers to individuals who begin life with a disability. For example, children who experience a developmental disadvantage or disability may have the opportunity to participate in programs that give these children the potential to achieve for them above average cognitive ability. But, you might ask, what happens if I am fifty-five, sixty-five, seventy-five, eighty-five, or ninety years old or older? Is there any advantage to putting into place a program to enrich my cognitive ability? This is the issue we will address and examine in this book.

Societys concern with brain development and, more specifically, with brain maintenance has significantly increased in recent years; the evidence shows that individuals are living substantially longer lives than previous generations. Historically, however, the focus has been on early brain development, and there is a clear lack of information for individuals who want to age successfully and aspire to maintain a high quality of life. This book presents evidentiary information on the best ways to ensure good cognitive ability as you age. Topics such as cognitive training, exercise, and diet, and how these all affect ones aging brain, will also be reviewed. It is important to understand that ensuring brain health as you age will require you to be proactive and to understand when things become abnormal. This book will give you insight into how the brain changes as we age and will explain what this means, and what you can do to help maintain effective cognitive ability. There are many products and strategies offering ways to maintain a youthful brain, but keep in mind that a youthful brain can be at a disadvantage compared to an experienced brain. Thus, the goal should not be achieving a youthful brainwe have worked hard to get to this point and do not want to regress; we want to progress. Therefore, the key should be to maintain our effective cognitive abilities as we reach our latter years. The information provided is intended to help you understand ways this can be achieved and to provide solid evidence of why things work the way they work and what you can do to minimize the effects of advancing age and combat certain diseases affecting the brain.

The brain has historically been divided into four major anatomical lobes; each of these lobes is believed to operate specific behavioral and sensory functions. The first few chapters will outline the major function of each lobe and provide insight into ways to stimulate these regions. The overall goal is to stimulate as much of the brain as possible to maintain brain health.

These four regions, or lobes, are called the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital. Each of these areas contains specific features involved in our everyday functioning. How we interact with the external world is driven by internal processes; specifically, the flow of information from our brain provides meaning and structure, and generates appropriate actions. It is important to note that at this point, even though we can discuss the regional components of the brain as if they are distinct, I do not believe that the brain works in a compartmental way. In fact, the different areas of the brain are connected in ways we are only beginning to understand. I will touch more on brain connectivity and neuroplasticity in the final chapter, but to begin this book I will discuss the processes involved in each of the identified brain regions, including a brief review of each area. These reviews will include a description of how functioning is evaluated, the effects of aging, and strategies to enhance cognitive ability using very simple tasks.

As we age, we are more susceptible to certain diseases affecting the brain; some can significantly impact ones quality of life. Although there are many diseases that can affect the brain, I have focused on one of the most debilitating neurodegenerative diseases linked to aging: Alzheimers disease (AD). In addition, I will focus on one of the most common precursor illnesses linked to AD that is also of great concern, mild cognitive impairment (MCI). AD is a destroyer of cognitive ability, and it profoundly affects cognitive performance and a sense of oneself in everyone it touches. It is one of the most concerning issues of our global aging population. The section on AD includes pertinent information on ways you can fight the onset and progression of AD, as well as insight into factors related to living with AD.

This book strives to provide detailed and concise information on current research as well as information on how to stave off the onset of AD as much as possible. I provide the reader with succinct information about current medications commonly associated with treating AD and the role of medications in effectively managing the disease. I also provide general information on ways individuals can, and should, advocate for effective health care to fight this illness as soon as possible, and in the best ways possible.