Degenerativebrain diseases and their impact on aging
COGNITIVE DECLINE
As memory loss, cognitive decline, or changes in movement and behavior worsen with age, those changes may also signal a degenerative brain disease. One key factor in generative diseases is believed to be a deficiency of acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter that supports brain and nerve function.
Acetylcholine is a chemical essential for communication between nerve cells. It influences both the central and the autonomic nervous systems and control the heart rate, digestion, and sweating. It also stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, lowers heart rate and blood pressure, aids digestion and saliva production, constricts pupils and helps excite skeletal muscles.
When acetylcholine levels decline, cognitive and neurological function can deteriorate leading to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, vascular dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and vascular dementia. Vascular dementia often results from a stroke and can cause sudden cognitive decline, paralysis, vision problems or speech difficulties.
The most common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, is a progressive disorder that begins with short-term memory loss and gradually affects language, judgment, personality and motor skills. Treatments may include medication, cognitive therapy, acupuncture and lifestyle support.
Acetylcholine also plays a vital role in memory and learning. Damage to the part of the brain due to Alzheimer’s leads to difficulties forming new memories and remembering recent events.
Deep sleep is essential for transferring short-term memories into long-term storage, as well as foods rich in choline that support brain health. They are beans, sesame seeds, yeast and barley, broccoli and cabbage, fatty fish, eggs and paprika.
Older adults are encouraged to keep an eye on the following warning signs and seek professional guidance if any of those occur:
• Frequently forgetting names or appointments
• Losing items often
• Getting lost in familiar areas
• Difficulty managing money or daily tasks
• Mood swings or personality changes —Dr. Yeung H. Kwon, L.Ac, OMD, Ph.D.
