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The Aging Brain  By  cover art

The Aging Brain

By: Thad A. Polk,The Great Courses
Narrated by: Thad A. Polk
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Publisher's summary

We're all getting older every day, and scientific research has shown that starting in our 20s, some brain functions begin a linear decline. But is old age all doom and gloom?

Not at all! While it's true that some functions in the aging brain decline, neuroscientists have discovered that many other brain functions remain stable - or even improve - as we age. Furthermore, nurture plays as significant a role as nature, and there are a number of strategies you can implement to stave off declining brain function, including:

  • Incorporating physical activity into your routine
  • Eating a healthy diet
  • Maintaining a vibrant social life
  • Reducing your stress

The science behind the aging brain tells a fascinating - and often counterintuitive - story. Is "aging" a disease or merely a natural occurrence that produces disease-like symptoms? If humans are biologically programmed to survive and thrive, why do we age at all? Is it possible (or even desirable) to "cure" aging altogether?

Delve into these questions and more in The Aging Brain. Taught by a neuroscientist and award-winning professor at the University of Michigan, these 12 eye-opening lectures will give you a wealth of new insights into what happens to the brain over time - as well as strategies to mitigate the effects of aging and enhance your quality of life into old age.

With a mix of scientific research and practical applications, Professor Polk brings cutting-edge science to life. He takes you down to the cellular and even molecular levels of the brain to show you why certain functions decline, how some aspects of brain aging are under genetic control, and what you can do to prolong your health and keep your mind sharp. Aging affects us all, but you have some control over how it affects you.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2016 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2016 The Great Courses

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

A course more about aging than the aging brain

This course has a lot to say about aging, but it only skins on the effect aging has on the brain. There are whole chapters concerning the physical changes the body undergoes and recommendations on how to deal with rhem. There is advice on diets, exercise and even social activities to slow down the effects of aging. However, when it comes to brain health for seniors the advice is limited and speculative. The course should have been titled 'The aging body' since that is its focus. There is something to be learned from this course but it won't necessarily help a person with memory, cognitive skills or solve a crossword.

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40 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Getting Older Smarter!

Great course; should be required listening for everyone under thirty. They might arrive at my age (77) in better shape than I did. Great instructor ... really made lectures interesting.

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40 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Info and Not Just For The Old Folks!

This course is short, concise yet full of information on how aging affects the brain and what we can do to increase our health and live longer and happier lives. Don't think you should put off reading this until you reach old age. Some of our brain functions start their decline from the young age of 20. You are not what you used to be, even at the age of 30! Who knew?

What I came away with is that we can attempt to increase our lifespan and our quality of life by learning from some of the longest lived societies in the world. They all seem to share some commonalities that may be responsible for their health and longevity. Some of these repeating life style patterns are increased physical activity, decreased stress, having an active social life, a propensity to eat less (than us Americans, with our seconds and thirds), and eating a Mediterranean diet.

Knowing this, you can start with little changes, which is what I am attempting. I did not go into this listen thinking it was a self-help book. I shy away from those. But this Great Course is so much more than that. I highly encourage everyone to listen to Professor Polk. He is a great lecturer who seems to really know his stuff.

Go for it!

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30 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very informative and current as of 2016

Greatly enjoyed this. A great break from fiction.
I have a medical background, but think this would be appropriate for anyone.

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19 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good information to know

The book provides good information on common diseases (such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, stroke, dementia, and depression) and their impact on the brain. There isn't much to prevent the diseases other than to exercise and eat healthy to reduce the likelihood somewhat.

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14 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Up-To-Date Research Provided

If you could sum up The Aging Brain in three words, what would they be?

Good with bad

Have you listened to any of Professor Thad A. Polk’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

This book works well for people who wish to listen to a chapter or two at a time without losing the flow or interrupting comprehension.

Any additional comments?

If you are healthy, yet wish to improve your brain's chances of remaining healthy in the future, this is a great listen for you. You will not feel as if you are being pushed into changing your lifestyle, yet you will probably want to implement some positive changes that this Great Course brings to light.

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13 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Critical Knowledge

This is information anyone over 40 should have. Thank you Great Courses and thank you Audible. you have opened up a world of knowledge for me.

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8 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

informative

Worth the read. I learned many new facets of memory and brain functions. science progresses.

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • JM
  • 09-30-16

very good, informative, and useful

very good, informative, and most of all very useful diet information for everyday .

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4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Very good overview of subject

Having had a longstanding interest on all things 'the brain', I found this course very good in summarizing current knowledge on our master organ. This course would be of greater benefit for individuals who do not know much about the brain, specifically the aging brain. Professor Polk presents the material very well in an easy to understand manner. The lectures were well organized and sequenced. As I mention above, I recommend this course if a person's interest is high and knowledge low on this topic.

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3 people found this helpful