PSIO 487 Exam 1 Flashcards
Theory
a scientifically
acceptable general principle or
body of principles offered to
explain phenomena
Evaluate recent trends in human life expectancy and mortality rates.
life expectancy is increasing overall in the world
-modern tech and medicine
the age of death has increased in the US
can the rate of aging impact human longevity
yes
Differentiate between aging and longevity.
aging = The progressive, event-dependent decline in the ability to
maintain biochemical/physiological function
*influenced during development (environmental factors)
longevity = The length of the lifespan, independent of the biological
aging process
*genetically determined
Mutation accumulation theory (Medawar)
deleterious ‘late life’
genes/mutations will still be passed onto future generations
Explain the field of geroscience to someone without a science background.
geroscience = the intersection between basic, biology, aging, and health
Describe some of the current NIA objectives for advancing
knowledge related to the process of aging
Goal a:
Identify factors associated with successful aging and resilience against disease and dysfunction
because some people are super agers they can preform cognitively or physically better than people decades younger than them so the NIA will work to understand the factors that can be associated with resilience and be able to determine whether those factors can be harnessed to increase resilience more broadly across population
Goal B:
Consider the role of place in aging processes, taking into account geography in studies of late-life disability and mortality trends.
Health and mortality can vary dramatically across geographic regions, localities, census tracts, and even ZIP codes. We will continue to support and conduct research to identify the drivers behind these differences as well as policies and interventions that may close gaps between health and mortality in diverse locales.
Discuss the concept of ‘successful aging.’
Successful Aging: little or no age-related decline in function
1. Avoidance of disease
2. Maintenance of physical and cognitive function
3. Active engagement with life (maintenance of autonomy and social
support)
Explain the advantages and the limitations of categorizing aging
as ‘successful’ and ’usual.
advantages = we know what will work and what does not
diets
disadvatages = what does it mean to live successfully?
social aspect
avoidance of disease
still being able to move
Describe and give specific examples of the three major age-
associated physiological changes.
-Physiological rhythms
-Loss of complexity
-Homeostenosis
stenosis
narrowing
the range of physiological limits and the amount of physiological reserve is narrowed with age
frailty
a clinically recognizable state of increased vulnerability resulting from aging-associated decline in reserve and function across multiple physiologic systems such that the ability to cope with everyday or acute stressors is comprised
-homeostenosis contributes to frailty
homeostenosis
a decreased ability to maintain homeostasis under stress
What are the age-associated physiological changes?
physiological rhythms = many circadian rhythms shift or become less prevalent with age
loss of complexity = many networks of control systems and feedback loops help maintain homeostasis
homeostenosis = a decreased ability to maintain homeostasis under stress
what are the three components of successful aging
- avoidance of disease
- maintenance of physical and cognitive function
- active engagement with life (maintenance of autonomy and social support)
Antagonistic pleiotropy theory aka “pay later theory” (Williams)
genes that increase the odds of successful reproduction in early life may
be harmful later in life
successful aging
little or no age - related decline in function
usual aging
normal decline in physical, social, and cognitive functioning with age
Disposable soma theory (Kirkwood)
hazardous environments favor
early reproduction and a short lifespan; allocation of all resources to
reproduction when necessary (even if it leads to death)
Three Psychosocial Theories of Aging
§ Disengagement Theory
§ Activity Theory
§ Continuity Theory
Disengagement Theory
Describes a natural, acceptable withdrawal of older adults from society as they age
Activity Theory of Aging
Argues that successful aging is more likely when older adults remain physically active and socially active
Continuity Theory of Aging
Argues that older adults will maintain relatively similar levels of activity and socialization as they did in their younger years
Progeroid syndrome
a condition in which physiological aging is
mimicked in an accelerated fashion
- ‘Progeroid’ indicates anything that resembles premature aging
Unimodal progeroid syndromes
demonstrate accelerated aging of one tissue only
* Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are unimodal progeroid syndromes
Segmental progeroid syndromes
affect many tissues and organ systems