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Successful Ageing and How Neuroplasticity can contribute to Successful Ageing
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Introduction
Every start has an end, so is the case with Humans—the ultimate mortals. Ageing is the process that encapsulates decline in physical, mental, emotional and social integrity based on the altered neurological mechanisms (Jedrziewski, Lee & Trojanowski, 2007). Despite structural and functional deterioration of brain cells, it is potent enough to regenerate neural scaffolding and maintain cognitive and intellectual functioning—the process named as Neuroplasticity. Dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis are some of the ageing disorders that can be managed through enabling brain to demonstrate Neuroplasticity.
Neuroplasticity, as the name indicates, is the unique ability of brain to regenerate, reorganize, or compensate its neural pathways for better adaptation in response to the environmental change (Kahn, 2002). Hence, it can be concluded that our daily experiences and learning alters the structural and functional mechanism of brain. A successful ageing is referred to as the least probability of disease and disability, satisfactory physical, cognitive and emotional functioning and streaming commitment with life (Kahn, 2002; Maier & Klumb, 2005; Depp & Jeste, 2006). However, based on the theory of individual differences, everyone ages differently and not at the same rate (Wislon, et. al., 2002).
Ageing and Neuroplasticity
Relating successful ageing with the brain flexibility, it can be concluded that successful ageing is positively correlated with the Neuroplasticity because life style and extent of brain activity play significant role in modifying and moderating their relationship. For instance, an older adult subjected to enhanced physical activity, cognitive training, conductive nutrition, exercise, healthy family relationships and social engagement is more likely to develop brain plasticity (as it is experience dependent), which in turn strengthens successful ageing (Eadie, Redila, & Christie; 2005; Cotman, Berchtold & Christie, 2007; Gomez, 2008; Erickson, Gildengers & Butters, 2013; Park & Bischof, 2013).
Clinical Interventions in Ageing with regard to Neuroplasticity
Being a registered nurse, based on the findings of preexisting literature, it is quite irrefutable to enhance brain’s physical, structural and cognitive functioning through various techniques including physical activity (walking, running, jogging), nutrition (iron and protein-rich diet), cognitive training (psychological testing, learning and problem solving techniques, meditation, deep breathing relaxation and regular sleep), healthy social interactions and counseling techniques (gaming, talking, meeting new people, providing a safer channel to vent feelings, frustrations, fears and unacceptable conflicts out) (Eadie, Redila, & Christie; 2005; Cotman, Berchtold & Christie, 2007; Gomez, 2008; Erickson, Gildengers & Butters, 2013; Park & Bischof, 2013). Such techniques are equally implementable within the clinical setting hence, nurses can play constructive role in mitigating cognitive ageing ramifications and enhancing their physical, mental, emotional and social functioning based on the concept of Neuroplasticity. A registered nurse can perform following interventions:
Introducing healthy diet plan enriched with protein and iron content
Using brain storming techniques e.g., riddles, games, testing problem solving skills, learning new materials, making new memories
Developing a daily schedule for exercise, productive physical activity, walking and running
Family counseling and individual counseling
Improving their stress management skills through meditation, Deep Breathing Relaxation (DBR), Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), Client Centered Therapy (CCT), Group Therapy (GT) and Family Therapy.
References
Cotman, C. W., Berchtold, N. C., & Christie L. A. (2007). Exercise builds brain health: key roles of growth factor cascades and inflammation. Trends in Neurosciences, 30(9), 464–472. Retrieved February 11, 2019 from https://doi.org/10.1016%2fj.tins.2007.06.011
Depp, C. A., & Jeste, D. V. (2006). Definitions and predictors of successful aging: A comprehensive review of larger quantitative studies. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 14, 6–20. Retrieved February 11, 2019 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16407577
Eadie B. D., Redila V. A., & Christie B. R. (2005). Voluntary exercise alters the cytoarchitecture of the adult dentate gyrus by increasing cellular proliferation, dendritic complexity, and spine density. The Journal of Comparative Neurology, 486(1), 39–47. Retrieved February 11, 2019 from https://www.nature.com/articles/nrn2421
Erickson K., Gildengers A., Butters M. (2013). Physical activity and brain plasticity in late adulthood. Dialogues Clinical Neuroscience, 15(1), 99–108. Retrieved February 11, 2019 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23576893
Gomez, P. F., (2008). Brain foods: the effects of nutrients on brain function. Nature Reviews. Neuroscience, 9(7), 568–578. Retrieved February 11, 2019 from https://www.nature.com/articles/nrn2421
Jedrziewski, M. K., Lee, V. M., & Trojanowski, J. Q. (2007). Physical activity and cognitive health. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 3, 98–108. Retrieved February 11, 2019 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1950132/
Kahn, R. L. (2002). On ‘Successful aging and well-being: Self-rated compared with Rowe and Kahn’. The Gerontologist, 42, 725–726. Retrieved February 11, 2019 from https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2002-11687-001
Maier, H., & Klumb, P. L. (2005). Social participation and survival at older ages: Is the effect driven by activity content or context? European Journal of Ageing, 2, 31–39. Retrieved February 11, 2019 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5547665/
Park, D. & Bischof, G. (2013). The aging mind: neuroplasticity in response to cognitive training. Dialogues Clinical Neuroscience, 15(1), 109–119. Retrieved February 11, 2019 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23576894
Wilson, R. S., Beckett, L. A., Barnes, L. L., Schneider, J. A., Bach, J., Evans, D. A. et al. (2002). Individual differences in rates of change in cognitive abilities of older persons. Psychology and Aging, 17, 179–193. Retrieved February 11, 2019 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12061405
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