Aging

List of ContributorsForewordPreface 1 Overview on Aging: Some Biomedical, Social, and Behavioral Perspectives Stability and Change in the Family The Elderly of the Future Biology and Behavior of the Elderly ReferencesI Longevity, Aging, and Mortality 2 Longevity in Primates Length of Life in Primates Human Evolution: The Last Four Million Years References 3 Life-Span Extension Defining Life-Span Distribution of Aging Biology of General Health Maintenance: A Unique Role for Biological Gerontology Biological Nature of Aging Genetic Complexity of General Health Maintenance Summary and Conclusions References 4 Environment and Biology in Aging: Some Epidemiological Notions Differentiation of Levels of Organization Separation of History and the Life-Cycle Maternal Age and Trisomy Spontaneous Abortion and Aging References 5 Some Economic Implications of Life-Span Extension Per Capita Output and Economic Welfare Assuming a Fixed Stock of Capital Capital Stock, Capital Intensity, and Output per Worker The Skill Composition of the Labor Force The Social Security System and other Economic Institutions References 6 Old Age in Tzintzuntzan, Mexico Tzintzuntzan, Michoacân, Mexico The View of Old Age in Tzintzuntzan Life for the Aged To Be Old in Tzintzuntzan: The Pros and Cons ReferencesII Aging Brain and Behavior 7 The Neurobiological Basis of Age-Related Changes in Neuronal Connectivity Changes in the Number of Synapses Changes in the Organization of the Brain Changes in the Microenvironment of Neurons Changes in the Metabolism of Neurons References 8 Experience and the Changing Brain Experience and Selective Preservation in Early Development Experience and Plasticity in the Adult Brain Changes in the Aging Brain and Behavior Conceptual Views of Losses in Synaptic Connectivity Experience and the Aging Brain References 9 Aging and Brain Plasticity Theories of Aging and Their Application to the Central Nervous System Approaching the Problem of Brain Aging Age-Related Changes in Hippocampal Physiology and Function Anatomical Plasticity in the Hippocampus: Changes over the Life-Span and Some Possible Regulatory Factors Summary and Conclusions ReferencesIII Cognitive and Social Functioning 10 Cognitive Functioning in the Elderly: Influence of Physical Health Research Designs Patterns of Cognitive Functioning Health Status and Cognitive Functioning Cardiovascular Disease and Cognitive Functioning Cognitive Functioning and Survivorship Conclusions References 11 Old Age: An Artifact The Elderly and Perceived Control Mindlessness Negative Consequences for the Elderly Implications of Mindlessness for the Elderly Conclusions References 12 The Function of Denial in Stress, Coping, and Aging The Sustaining Function of Illusions Denial, Illusion, and Other Related Processes Research of Denial-Like Processes Summary of the Adaptational Costs and Benefits of Denial-Like Processes ReferencesIV Health 13 Life Changes and Disease in Elderly Populations: Coping with Change Life Changes and Disease Social Relationships and Health Conclusions and Recommendations References 14 Social Stress and Mental Disorders in the Elderly Defining the Dependent Variable Defining the Independent Variable Study Design Transduction Prevention Conclusion Refe