Kenneth Maiese (ed.)
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780195326697
- eISBN:
- 9780199864874
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195326697.001.0001
- Subject:
- Neuroscience, Molecular and Cellular Systems
Disorders of the nervous and vascular systems continue to burden the planet's population not only with increasing morbidity and mortality, but also with a significant financial drain through ...
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Disorders of the nervous and vascular systems continue to burden the planet's population not only with increasing morbidity and mortality, but also with a significant financial drain through increasing medical care costs coupled to a progressive loss in economic productivity. For example, more than 500 million individuals suffer from nervous and vascular system disorders in the world that comprise both acute and chronic degenerative diseases such as hypertension, cardiac insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimer's disease. Given the vulnerability of the nervous and vascular systems, identifying the cellular pathways that determine cellular function, injury, and longevity may significantly assist in the development of therapeutic strategies to either prevent or at least reduce disability from crippling degenerative disorders. This book is intended to offer unique insights into the cellular and molecular pathways that can govern neuronal, vascular, and inflammatory cell function and provide a platform for investigative perspectives that employ novel “bench to bedside” strategies from internationally recognized scientific leaders. In light of the significant and multifaceted role played by neuronal, vascular, and inflammatory cells during degenerative disorders, novel studies that elucidate the role of these cells may greatly further our understanding of disease mechanisms for the development of targeted treatments for a wide spectrum of diseases. This book lays the course for the continued progression of innovative investigations and especially those that examine previously unexplored pathways of cell biology with new avenues of study for the maintenance of healthy aging and extended cellular longevity.Less
Disorders of the nervous and vascular systems continue to burden the planet's population not only with increasing morbidity and mortality, but also with a significant financial drain through increasing medical care costs coupled to a progressive loss in economic productivity. For example, more than 500 million individuals suffer from nervous and vascular system disorders in the world that comprise both acute and chronic degenerative diseases such as hypertension, cardiac insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimer's disease. Given the vulnerability of the nervous and vascular systems, identifying the cellular pathways that determine cellular function, injury, and longevity may significantly assist in the development of therapeutic strategies to either prevent or at least reduce disability from crippling degenerative disorders. This book is intended to offer unique insights into the cellular and molecular pathways that can govern neuronal, vascular, and inflammatory cell function and provide a platform for investigative perspectives that employ novel “bench to bedside” strategies from internationally recognized scientific leaders. In light of the significant and multifaceted role played by neuronal, vascular, and inflammatory cells during degenerative disorders, novel studies that elucidate the role of these cells may greatly further our understanding of disease mechanisms for the development of targeted treatments for a wide spectrum of diseases. This book lays the course for the continued progression of innovative investigations and especially those that examine previously unexplored pathways of cell biology with new avenues of study for the maintenance of healthy aging and extended cellular longevity.
W. Andrew Achenbaum
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- November 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780231164429
- eISBN:
- 9780231535328
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Columbia University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7312/columbia/9780231164429.001.0001
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health
Robert Neil Butler (1927–2010) was a scholar, psychiatrist, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author who revolutionized the way the world thinks about aging and the elderly. One of the first psychiatrists ...
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Robert Neil Butler (1927–2010) was a scholar, psychiatrist, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author who revolutionized the way the world thinks about aging and the elderly. One of the first psychiatrists to engage with older men and women outside of institutional settings, Butler coined the term “ageism” to draw attention to discrimination against older adults and spent a lifetime working to improve their status, medical treatment, and care. Early in his career, Butler seized on the positive features of late-life development—aspects he documented in his research on “healthy aging” at the National Institutes of Health and in private practice. He set the nation's age-based health care agenda and research priorities as founding director of the National Institute on Aging and by creating the first interprofessional, interdisciplinary department of geriatrics at New York City's Mount Sinai Hospital. In the final two decades of his career, Butler created a global alliance of scientists, educators, practitioners, politicians, journalists, and advocates through the International Longevity Center. The book follows this pioneer's significant contributions to the concept of healthy aging and the notion that aging is not synonymous with physical and mental decline. Emphasizing the progressive aspects of Butler's approach and insight, the book affirms the ongoing relevance of his work to gerontology, geriatrics, medicine, social work, and related fields.Less
Robert Neil Butler (1927–2010) was a scholar, psychiatrist, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author who revolutionized the way the world thinks about aging and the elderly. One of the first psychiatrists to engage with older men and women outside of institutional settings, Butler coined the term “ageism” to draw attention to discrimination against older adults and spent a lifetime working to improve their status, medical treatment, and care. Early in his career, Butler seized on the positive features of late-life development—aspects he documented in his research on “healthy aging” at the National Institutes of Health and in private practice. He set the nation's age-based health care agenda and research priorities as founding director of the National Institute on Aging and by creating the first interprofessional, interdisciplinary department of geriatrics at New York City's Mount Sinai Hospital. In the final two decades of his career, Butler created a global alliance of scientists, educators, practitioners, politicians, journalists, and advocates through the International Longevity Center. The book follows this pioneer's significant contributions to the concept of healthy aging and the notion that aging is not synonymous with physical and mental decline. Emphasizing the progressive aspects of Butler's approach and insight, the book affirms the ongoing relevance of his work to gerontology, geriatrics, medicine, social work, and related fields.
Anna Rieckmann, Randy L. Buckner, and Trey Hedden
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- December 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780199372935
- eISBN:
- 9780190662264
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199372935.003.0003
- Subject:
- Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience
The study of the cognitive neuroscience of aging has evolved to include focus on molecular and cellular processes in the brain that develop across the lifespan. The chapter “Molecular Imaging of ...
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The study of the cognitive neuroscience of aging has evolved to include focus on molecular and cellular processes in the brain that develop across the lifespan. The chapter “Molecular Imaging of Aging and Neurodegenerative Disease” concentrates on glucose metabolism, amyloid and dopamine markers as illustrative examples of the role that positron emission tomography imaging plays in quantifying the spatial distribution and concentration of molecular targets for unraveling the association between brain aging and cognition. The focus is on recent studies, with attention directed toward implications for the study of cognitively healthy aging and future directions in that study.Less
The study of the cognitive neuroscience of aging has evolved to include focus on molecular and cellular processes in the brain that develop across the lifespan. The chapter “Molecular Imaging of Aging and Neurodegenerative Disease” concentrates on glucose metabolism, amyloid and dopamine markers as illustrative examples of the role that positron emission tomography imaging plays in quantifying the spatial distribution and concentration of molecular targets for unraveling the association between brain aging and cognition. The focus is on recent studies, with attention directed toward implications for the study of cognitively healthy aging and future directions in that study.
Michael D. Stein and Sandro Galea
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- April 2020
- ISBN:
- 9780197510384
- eISBN:
- 9780197510414
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780197510384.003.0059
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Public Health
This chapter studies four new realities which need to be considered in addressing the needs of the aging population. First, healthy aging is the ultimate example of prevention in action. To age in a ...
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This chapter studies four new realities which need to be considered in addressing the needs of the aging population. First, healthy aging is the ultimate example of prevention in action. To age in a healthy way, we have to prevent disease from taking hold, suggesting a redoubled effort in preventing some of the conditions—such as obesity and substance use—that result in unhealthy older life. Second, we must take steps such as creating more accessible built environments, and ensuring older adults have volunteer opportunities, to make sure populations remain integrated in communities as they age. Third, we must close health gaps that exist among aging populations. These include gaps created by race, LGBTQ status, and socioeconomic status. Finally, we need to intensify our efforts to tackle the health challenges that older people face, such as Alzheimer’s disease.Less
This chapter studies four new realities which need to be considered in addressing the needs of the aging population. First, healthy aging is the ultimate example of prevention in action. To age in a healthy way, we have to prevent disease from taking hold, suggesting a redoubled effort in preventing some of the conditions—such as obesity and substance use—that result in unhealthy older life. Second, we must take steps such as creating more accessible built environments, and ensuring older adults have volunteer opportunities, to make sure populations remain integrated in communities as they age. Third, we must close health gaps that exist among aging populations. These include gaps created by race, LGBTQ status, and socioeconomic status. Finally, we need to intensify our efforts to tackle the health challenges that older people face, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Rossini Paolo Maria and Melgari Jean-Marc
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- August 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780262015233
- eISBN:
- 9780262295444
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262015233.003.0023
- Subject:
- Neuroscience, Research and Theory
This chapter is concerned with the results of studies performed with neurophysiological techniques. Their integration with flow/metabolic methods constitutes, at present, the best way to evaluate ...
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This chapter is concerned with the results of studies performed with neurophysiological techniques. Their integration with flow/metabolic methods constitutes, at present, the best way to evaluate plasticity in the normal and abnormal human brain as represented by three paradigmatic conditions: healthy aging, neurodegeneration, and ischemic stroke. It concentrates on neurophysiological correlates of cortical plasticity. This chapter shows that since, both in healthy aging and in different models of disease, neuroplasticity is an efficient way to maintain brain function despite progressive loss of its resources, deepening the knowledge on the mechanisms regulating cerebral function and plastic phenomena might prompt newer and more efficacious therapeutic and rehabilitative strategies for neurologic diseases.Less
This chapter is concerned with the results of studies performed with neurophysiological techniques. Their integration with flow/metabolic methods constitutes, at present, the best way to evaluate plasticity in the normal and abnormal human brain as represented by three paradigmatic conditions: healthy aging, neurodegeneration, and ischemic stroke. It concentrates on neurophysiological correlates of cortical plasticity. This chapter shows that since, both in healthy aging and in different models of disease, neuroplasticity is an efficient way to maintain brain function despite progressive loss of its resources, deepening the knowledge on the mechanisms regulating cerebral function and plastic phenomena might prompt newer and more efficacious therapeutic and rehabilitative strategies for neurologic diseases.
Nancy S. Jecker
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- May 2020
- ISBN:
- 9780190949075
- eISBN:
- 9780190949105
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780190949075.003.0002
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Moral Philosophy
Chapter 2 introduces the idea of dignity as species integrity. For human beings, respecting dignity requires making reasonable efforts to support human capabilities at a basic floor level. Human ...
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Chapter 2 introduces the idea of dignity as species integrity. For human beings, respecting dignity requires making reasonable efforts to support human capabilities at a basic floor level. Human capabilities include the central kinds of things we can do and be as human beings, including capacities for a life narrative; health; bodily integrity; senses, imagination, and thought; emotions; practical reason; affiliation; relating to nature; play; and participating in the environment. Contrary to what “healthy aging” advocates claim, medical progress will not eliminate threats to these human capabilities. Chapter 2 compares dignity as species integrity with sub-Saharan African conceptions of Ubuntu, the Nguni word for “humanness.” Ubuntu prizes relational values and human capacities for harmonious relationship. The chapter concludes that to have global traction, capability lists must be balanced, life stage informed, and provisional.Less
Chapter 2 introduces the idea of dignity as species integrity. For human beings, respecting dignity requires making reasonable efforts to support human capabilities at a basic floor level. Human capabilities include the central kinds of things we can do and be as human beings, including capacities for a life narrative; health; bodily integrity; senses, imagination, and thought; emotions; practical reason; affiliation; relating to nature; play; and participating in the environment. Contrary to what “healthy aging” advocates claim, medical progress will not eliminate threats to these human capabilities. Chapter 2 compares dignity as species integrity with sub-Saharan African conceptions of Ubuntu, the Nguni word for “humanness.” Ubuntu prizes relational values and human capacities for harmonious relationship. The chapter concludes that to have global traction, capability lists must be balanced, life stage informed, and provisional.
Michael D. Stein and Sandro Galea
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- April 2020
- ISBN:
- 9780197510384
- eISBN:
- 9780197510414
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780197510384.003.0063
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Public Health
This chapter examines the importance of volunteering in facilitating healthy aging. There is a strong link between volunteering and good health. Formal volunteering has been associated with reduced ...
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This chapter examines the importance of volunteering in facilitating healthy aging. There is a strong link between volunteering and good health. Formal volunteering has been associated with reduced mortality and increased self-rated health and physical function. Indeed, a 2018 research suggests that those who have the greatest health vulnerabilities are, in fact, most likely to experience positive health benefits from volunteering. How does volunteering help? It can increase physical activity, social engagement, and brain stimulation. It may decrease social isolation, as new friendships emerge from the shared experience of volunteering. Moreover, it can promote confidence and enhance one’s sense of meaning and purpose. Volunteering might be particularly beneficial to cognitive functioning because it allows older adults to engage in, and master, complex tasks, many of which might be new to them.Less
This chapter examines the importance of volunteering in facilitating healthy aging. There is a strong link between volunteering and good health. Formal volunteering has been associated with reduced mortality and increased self-rated health and physical function. Indeed, a 2018 research suggests that those who have the greatest health vulnerabilities are, in fact, most likely to experience positive health benefits from volunteering. How does volunteering help? It can increase physical activity, social engagement, and brain stimulation. It may decrease social isolation, as new friendships emerge from the shared experience of volunteering. Moreover, it can promote confidence and enhance one’s sense of meaning and purpose. Volunteering might be particularly beneficial to cognitive functioning because it allows older adults to engage in, and master, complex tasks, many of which might be new to them.