A healthy older brain

Most of us look forward to a long life but fret about losing our memories or being affected with dementia. While no medication can prevent memory impairment, some lifestyle approaches may limit or delay any serious memory disorders as we grow older.

The memory or cognitive function together with other intellectual functions is handled by the neurons, the most sophisticated of the brain cells. Neurons are connected to each other through the synapses, “linking” platforms where an electrical or chemical signal is released to ensure the transfer of information from one neuron to the other. The human brain contains about 100 billions neurons and about 100 trillions synapses. Neurons store memory in different ways: short-term memory results from chemical reactions that strengthen the synapse while long-term memory seems to imply the synthesis of proteins. It is commonly accepted that mental fitness is commensurate with high and sustained mental stimulation (permanent learning process, social interaction), which triggers a higher number of synapses and possibly the regeneration of neurons in some parts of the brain. 

The neurons require a high and permanent oxygen and energy supply to maintain all metabolic processes within the cerebral tissue. Despite weighing only 2 per cent of body weight, the brain receives through the blood circulation 20 per cent of total body oxygen supply and 25 per cent of glucose supply. Any significant anomaly in blood supply may thus lead to potential neurological impairment and memory problems.

Just as it does with all our organs, the ageing process affects the brain. Interestingly, no serious decline in cognitive function is observed during the normal – or healthy – ageing process, which is the case for most elderly individuals. There is only a minor degree of malfunction resulting in some occasional and insignificant memory lapses but without impacting daily life. Between 5 to 20 per cent of older people may develop Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) that leads to more substantial memory problems than might be expected for their age. However, this cognitive decline is not severe enough to suggest the diagnosis of dementia though people with MCI do have a higher risk of suffering from dementia and about 10 to 20 per cent may develop vascular dementia (triggered by brain vessel damage) or Alzheimer’s disease. 

It is essential, therefore, to reinforce a healthy lifestyle to prevent or delay the evolution of MCI to more severe manifestations. Of course, some people will develop dementia, suffering a marked impairment in daily life with a profound and steady decline in memory and intellectual functions and ultimately leading to loss of independence.

No cure has yet been found for memory problems and equally no single lifestyle aspect or any nutritional supplement has been found to prevent MCI or dementia. However, many risk factors have been identified and, if corrected early, may help delay or prevent the progression of the symptoms. 

The first of these are factors linked to poor mental fitness such as minimal social interaction, lack of daily mental stimulation and loss of life’s engagements. Second are the risk factors of atherosclerosis that lead to blood supply impairment to the brain due to narrowing of blood vessels. 

But the most important risk factors are smoking, hypertension, high blood lipids, diabetes, overweight and obesity, often linked to or worsened by an unhealthy life. 

The best preventive measures to keep long-term optimal cognitive function include mental fitness with stimulating intellectual and social interaction coupled with physical fitness from healthy diet, regular exercise, no smoking, moderate alcohol consumption and stress control. In short, keeping our brain healthy needs friends and purpose as well as a healthy heart and body.

 

>>> Dr Gerard Lalande is managing director of CEO-Health, which provides medical referrals for expatriates and customised executive medical check-ups in Thailand. He can be contacted at [email protected].