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BRAIN
Bethy S. Hernowo
NBSS TWP
Introduction
For many people approaching old age ,
deteriorating brain function is the aspect of
growing old that they most fear.
Some peoples brains age much better than others.
Why this might be?
How more of us can improve the chances of
preserving our brains as they age?
What changes occur in human brains with
ageing?
Ageing of the human brain
Brain changes with ageing
First, young brains in develop world larger and
heavier by about 1gr/year.
Second, the number of very elderly brains examined
has been relatively low until recently.
Third, diseases that cause a reduction in brain
weight and volume are increase
Fourth, by brain imaging , the longitudinal measures
on the same brain have been possible to study
Macroscopic brain changes with
age
Age 20-60 years, loss of brain weight 0.1% per
year , more rapid loss thereafter.
Weight remain stable until the age of 50 years
then progressively decrease.
Brain volume found to decrease with age.
Diffuse in white matter and some regional
differences in grey matter.Frontal and parietal
more affected than temporal and occipital cortex
Cont
Brain volume reduction increase 0.1-
0.2%/year at age 30-50 years to 0.3-
0.5%/year at age >70 years.
Ventricular system expands, leptomenings
thicker slightly with age and subarachnoid
enlarges.
Microscopic brain changes with age