Patrick R. Hof

Charles V. Mobbs

One of the most demanding aspects regarding the endocrinology of aging is to determine the extent to which hormones change with age, independent of age-related pathologies, and the clinical significance of these changes. The emphasis of the present volume is on function, as it is of particular interest to many nonspecialists under what circumstances endocrine therapy may be useful in the elderly. For this purpose, leading investigators in their respective fields review the most important hormonal systems affected by aging. Furthermore, to facilitate the utility of the reviews particularly for nonspecialists, the book emphasizes the critical analysis of specific issues: The extent to which the hormones considered really do change with age, especially in humans; the physiological significance and the causes of these changes; and the prospects for treatment. Additionally, this volume also includes reviews on subjects such as cytokines, the sympathetic nervous system and leptin, which have not been traditionally considered in reviews of endocrine systems. However, while the concept of hormone replacement in the elderly is promising, as the chapters in the present volume indicate, much more research is necessary to determine under what circumstances such therapy is appropriate rather than counterproductive.

Functional Endocrinology of Aging

Some well-known age-related neurological diseases include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, deafness, and blindness. Even more common are the problems of aging which are not due to disease but to more subtle impairments in neurobiological systems, including impairments in vision, memory loss, muscle weakening, and loss of reproductive functions, changes in body weight, and sleeplessness. As the average age of our society increases, diseases of aging continue to become more common, and conditions associated with aging need more attention by doctors and researchers. In 1991, patients over the age of 65 saw their doctors an average of eight times per year. Research funding is provided by the Neuroscience and Neuropsychology of Aging (NNA) Program, which is run by the National Institute on Aging. This book offers a comprehensive overview of all topics related to functional impairments which are related to the aging brain and nervous system. It is organized according to four general functions: movement, senses, memory, and neuroendocrine regulation. Written by the leading researchers in the field, this comprehensive work addresses both impairments associated with diseases and not associated with diseases, making it easier to understand the mechanisms involved. Functional Neurobiology of Aging is an important reference for professionals and students involved in aging research, as well as physicians who need to recognize and understand age-related impairments. Organized by function, making it easy to find and understand the material Addresses impairments both associated with diseases and not associated with diseases Written by leading researchers in the field Most comprehensive source of information on the neurobiology of aging

Charles V. Mobbs

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