The Aging Brain: Volume 2

The brain is the most complex organ system in the human, both in the intricacy of its cellular architecture and in the extent of its repertoire of macromolecules. The Aging Brain presents the current state of understanding of molecular, cellular, and functional changes that occur in normal brain aging, and compares and contrasts those changes with events occurring in age-related neurodegenerative disorders. The chapters, written by world leaders in the field of brain aging, provide a timely and comprehensive consideration of key areas of this rapidly growing field of aging research. The topics covered include structural, functional, biochemical and molecular changes that occur during usual aging and in age-related neurological disorders. An emphasis is placed on emerging findings at the cellular and molecular levels. The roles of oxidative stress and perturbed energy metabolism in aging and neurodegenrative disorders are covered in considerable detail. In addition, the impact of aging and disease on specific neurotransmitter, neurotrophic factor and cytokine signaling pathways is reviewed. Finally, recent findings concerning possible approaches to reduce risk for age-related neurodegenerative disorders, such as caloric restriction, are presented. The collective body of information presented in The Aging Brain will provide those stepping into the field of brain aging with an overview of our current understanding of fundamental changes that occur in the aging brain, and their molecular and cellular underpinnings. At the same time, the book delves deeply into critical mechanistic details of brain aging that should prove valuable to experts in the field.