Genetic changes could explain brain decline

[WalkerInTheWoods]

My great grandmother in her 90's probably had a better functioning brain than most people my age. My grandfather had a better memory than I do. Maybe it is how you use what you got. lol

[Nagual]

If I understand it correctly, they say that the more "healing" your body needs (as you get older), the more genes will switch from "mental" mode to "medic" mode...

But I agree that there are counter-examples out there; like old "geniuses" in poor health condition and young "dumb people" in perfect shape...

[kiauma]

I am 40 now, the time the study shows that the gene changes begin to show marked change.  Personally, I can say that it feels like I have waited all my life for my brain to slow down enough for me to think straight.

The study also says that other genes begin to work harder.  I suspect this is not necessarily so much the 'deterioration' of the brain as simply changes in the brain from the aging process.  In other words, the brain begins to work differently, not necessarily worse or better.  Just what it does, I am sure, is largely individual to the person.

(Statistics IMO are largely a false security.  They seem to tell you something, but mean little to the individual.  Yes, they may be able to tell you that you have a 50% chance of getting Alzheimer's if you are over 85, but that tells you little of whether you will actually get it or not. It may touch your life, it may not - roll of the dice.)

Learning and memmory begin to show a decrease, but focus and comprehension have been shown to be high durring mid-life.   What this indicates to me is that the functioning of the brain is changing with the demands placed on it.  Usually durring this period of their lives people are managing careers and families, which they had been preparing for through education and hard work for most of the rest of their life.  

The study also points heavily to the importance of proper nutrition and mental exercise.  If you want to stay sharp one should participate in mental activities that promote short and long term memmory development and logical facilities, like learning a language or taking a math course.  Also, foods that contain anti-oxidants are seen to have a major role in maintianing healthy cells, which directly impacts your life in countless ways.

Landmark study, indeed.

[Nagual]

Genes may be linked to deteriorating mental function

Scientists say they've found a "genetic signature" of aging in the human brain — changes in key genes that may be linked to deteriorating mental function as we get older.

The study suggests that some genes start working less hard soon after age 40, at least in some people.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5170228/