Section 01 — Caring for Your Brain at Any Age
Age-related Brain Conditions
Doctors and researchers believe that aging , along with genetics and environment , contributes to many diseases . The older you get , the more likely certain diseases may be . The most common brain diseases with aging include :
Alzheimer ’ s disease
One in nine people aged 65 or older has Alzheimer ’ s . This disease inspires fear in many because of the insidious ways it affects short-term memory and thinking and gets worse over time , seeming to steal what makes us “ us .”
Alzheimer ’ s is a type of dementia . Dementia is an umbrella term for significant memory and thinking problems that interfere with or completely impede daily activities , such as getting dressed , making meals or doing household chores .
Researchers believe that in Alzheimer ’ s the proteins beta-amyloid and tau misfold and clump in brain cells . There isn ’ t yet a proven cure , but research is extremely active . In 2021 , the United States Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) approved the first medication targeting betaamyloid to , potentially , slow diseaserelated change over time . And several currently available medications and treatments can ease symptoms .
Parkinson ’ s disease
One in 100 people aged 60 or older has Parkinson ’ s . This condition causes tremor , slowness , stiffness , and walking and balance changes . It also can cause mood and sleep changes , constipation , smell loss and other symptoms . The most common age at diagnosis is the late 50s or early 60s , but it can happen earlier , too . There currently is no blood test or brain scan for PD . Doctors rely on physical examination and medical history to determine whether a person has the disease .
Over time , symptoms gradually worsen . But many medications , surgeries and other treatments can lessen them . There is not yet a cure , but several therapies with the potential to slow disease are now in clinical trial testing . Many of these target alpha-synuclein , a protein that clumps in the brain cells of people with Parkinson ’ s , or genetic changes linked to PD .
For more on Parkinson ’ s , see page 48 .
Stroke
A stroke is when the blood supply to part of the brain stops or decreases . Strokes happen when a blood vessel is damaged or clogged or when it breaks open and bleeds . The symptoms of a stroke depend on where it ’ s located in the brain . Trouble speaking , for example , occurs when a stroke affects brain cells that control language .
In addition to age , high blood pressure , high cholesterol , diabetes and cigarette smoking increase risk for stroke . Treatments aim to decrease symptoms and prevent future strokes .
10 The Michael J . Fox Foundation for Parkinson ’ s Research