1,6,35-37 Animals living in enriched environments show increased expression of the genes for nerve growth factor NGF, glial
derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and BDNF in several areas of the brain.6,38 BDNF, in particular, seems to be required for the improvement in learning and the neurogenesis produced in the hippocampus of animals living in these enriched environments.39 Several experimental studies have shown, specifically in aged animals, that environmental enrichment attenuates the age-related changes in cortical thickness, dendritic branching, spine density, neurogenesis, and gliogenesis.1,40-42 All these effects have been correlated with an improved performance of old animals Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical in different learning tasks.1,43 These experimental data are indicative of the plastic capacities of the aged brain. Taken collectively they reinforce the idea that the aged brain is highly responsive to challenges, and they may also help to explain why Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical cognitive and physical exercise make individuals resistant to developing Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.14,44 The studies reviewed here
on animals living in an enriched environment provide powerful evidence for the effects of different lifestyle elements on the anatomy and physiology Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical of the brain and particularly on the aged brain and its plasticity. Several other lines of research in animal models and also humans further emphasize the intimate relationship between lifestyle and successful brain aging (see below). Lifestyle and successful Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical brain aging It is becoming apparent that successful brain aging is possible if people maintain certain healthy lifestyle habits throughout
their lives. These lifestyle factors include: the number of calories ingested, composition and quality of diet, physical as well as mental Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical exercise, not smoking, active social life, effective use of technical innovations for social communication, maintenance of an active emotional life, and control of a stressful lifestyle.10 Some of these are briefly reviewed below, and are also summarized in Table I. TABLE I. Lifestyle factors that may facilitate successful aging of Anacetrapib the brain. Reduction in food intake and the effects of specific nutrients Caloric restriction a reduction of food intake by 20% to 40% without malnutrition has been shown to decrease the rate of aging of the brain, probably due in part to a significant decrease in the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and a corresponding decrease in their detrimental effects on different cellular macromolecules including proteins, lipids, and DNA.45 This dietary sellectchem manipulation has powerful effects on the health of many species, including monkeys and humans.17,46-48 Caloric restriction has protective effects, particularly in the aging brain.