AGING AND TRAUMA

1
AGING AND TRAUMA Key Points Increased longevity
results in increased neurological
disorders Normal age-related changes in brain
structure Neurodegenerative diseases abnormal
changes with age Basic knowledge of Alzheimers
disease neuropathology, genes Basic
understanding of Parkinsons disease Role of
genetic versus environmental factors Stroke
infarct and haemorrhage Traumatic injuries to
brain and spinal cord, primary - secondary
events Knowledge of reactions to axonal
injury Glial cell changes Differences between CNS
and PNS injury Reading Crossman and Neary. pgs
13-17, 21, 27, 54-56, 127, 158 Kiernan (7th Ed),
pgs 31-35, 38, 59-62, 103-104 Nolte (4th Ed), pgs
35, 89-94, 490-492 Fitzgerald, pgs 47-48, 53-55,
102-105, 215-217, 225, 234-235
2
AUSTRALIA
3
Changes associated with normal aging Brain
shrinkage, regression of processes/synapses Inclu
sions Changes in levels of neurotransmitters and
their receptors Degenerative diseases
abnormal aging Cortical plaques containing
irregular cell processes and beta-amyloid,
activated glial cells. Cellular changes in
Alzheimers disease. Neurofibrillary tangles in
hippocampal neurons Altered blood vessels
4
(No Transcript)
5
Older adults actually use different regions of
the brain and more of the brain than younger
adults to perform the same memory and information
processing tasks. Overall, Reuter-Lorenz believes
that older adults benefit from bi-hemispheric
processing. Using two hemispheres instead of one,
and more of the brain overall, may allow seniors
to compensate for some of the mental declines
that come with age.
6
Exercise and trophic factor production in the
adult brain
7
(No Transcript)
8
Alzheimers Disease
Amyloid plaques, tangles
Early versus late-onset Alzheimers disease APP,
apoE, presenilins, tau Changes in neurochemistry
(acetylcholine), receptor levels
9
(No Transcript)
10
(No Transcript)
11
Neurodegenerative diseases
Parkinsons disease and dopamine cell loss
12
(No Transcript)
13

Early diagnosis and neuroprotection, or cell
replacement? Parkinsons Disease
14
Huntingtons Normal
15
Multiple sclerosis
16
Traumatic and vascular accidents
17
(No Transcript)
18
(No Transcript)
19
(No Transcript)
20
The mammalian nervous system
21
(No Transcript)
22
Spinal Cord Injury
23
(No Transcript)