Inflammation is part of the aging process, contributing to white matter damage as well as amyloid accumulation and a cascade of biochemical changes. Vascular risk factors increased these age related alterations of the cerebral white matter which occurs more often in the frontal lobes, especially in individuals diagnosed with hypertension. Research with animals on calorie restriction diets showed a 20 to 40 percent decrease of inflammatory stress on the brain over time. MRI’s of the Super Agers, (including 10 octogenarians) found none of the cortical thinning that is a byproduct of aging. Neurology Today 12-1-2011.
Comments