The Elderly And Dementia

"In 2020, 60 Minutes checked in on the groundbreaking 90+ study and its members, a group of Americans age 90 and above still thriving in old age. Lesley Stahl revisited the participants, whom she first met in 2014, and caught up with the scientists expanding their findings on what leads to a longer, healthier life, with a special focus on memory and dementia."

Click on the link below for a facinating and enlightening 60 minutes segment on the latest research regarding the elderly and the causes of dementia.

What scientists have learned from studying people over 90 years old

Dispelling Stereotypes Of Memory & Aging

"President Biden's self-assured delivery of the State of the Union address challenged doubts about his age. Since the start of his presidential campaign, Biden’s every slip-up has been under the microscope, from momentary forgetfulness to misspoken words. Neuroscientist Charan Ranganath believes that we have been oversimplifying the way we think about age and memory. In his new book "Why We Remember,” the author shares years of his research. He discusses with Hari Sreenivasan."

Click on the link below for some science on memory and aging:

Memory Expert on Biden, Trump, and the Stereotypes of Aging

Aging: Can It Be Controlled, And, If So, By How Much?

"What causes aging? According to Professor David Sinclair, it is a loss of information in our epigenome, the system of proteins like histones and chemical markers like methylation that turn on and off genes. Epigenetics allow different cell types to perform their specific functions - they are what differentiate a brain cell from a skin cell. Our DNA is constantly getting broken, by cosmic rays, UV radiation, free radicals, x-rays and regular cell division etc. When our cells repair that damage, the epigenome is not perfectly reset. And hence over time, noise accumulates in our epigenome. Our cells no longer perform their functions well. 

"To counter this decline, we can activate the body's own defenses against aging by stressing the body. Eat less, eat less protein, engage in intense exercise, experience uncomfortable cold. When the body senses existential threats it triggers longevity genes, which attempt to maintain the body to ensure its survival until good times return. This may be the evolutionary legacy of early bacteria, which established these two modes of living (repair and protect vs grow and reproduce). Scientists are uncovering ways to mimic stresses on the body without the discomfort of fasting. Molecules like NMN also trigger sirtuins to monitor and repair the epigenome. This may slow aging."

Click on the link below for a 21-minute video on this fascinating subject:

How to Slow Aging (and even reverse it)

Aging: Beware Of The Quacks

"Most of us want to live as long as possible but would like to avoid the deterioration of aging. So it’s only natural that antiaging remedies abound. Sadly, most of them are just false hope, hype, and snake oil. The consequences of aging are not all bad: the elderly have extensive life experience, more general knowledge, and more wisdom. And they report greater happiness."

Click on the link below for a succinct look and aging and how many quacks take advantage of this natural process:

The Science and Pseudoscience of Aging

You're Never Too Old

Many people have the opinion that, as you get older, you get "set in your ways" and cannot change your opinion.  However, if you are a science-based thinker, you are never too old.  I offer myself as an example: a Devout Catholic most of my 73 year who finanlly realized there was no evidence for any interventionist god, much less a Catholic one.  Another example is Barbara Bush.

Science Instead Of Pseudoscience In The Study Of Aging

"The project represents a radical departure from ordinary drug studies that test treatments for single diseases. However, the group, spearheaded by Dr. Barzilai, said the Food and Drug Administration has endorsed their idea to test a single substance for effectiveness against a range of ailments."

Finding a Drug for Healthy Aging