Aging Conditions

Clarissa Leger Response

Hi Clarissa! I do agree with your post that the Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is an environmentally influenced mental disorder and to which is accompanied by long-term alcoholic use. Besides, the condition can also result from the deficiency of Vitamin B-1 and present with such syndromes as confusion, changes in the eye, and vision and exaggerated storytelling. Therefore, the condition does not only get influenced by increased alcohol intake for a prolonged duration but also as a result of malnourishment. I believe that the inability to form new memories results from distortions in mind resulting in forgetfulness. Traumatic brain injury is also an environmentally influenced condition in that it involves an external influence. I also tend to agree with you that Alzheimer’s is a genetically predisposed condition in that it runs in the family. The reason why it can be considered genetic is that there is a high chance of predisposition to the condition if one of the members in the family has the condition. However, the condition can also be influenced by environmental factors. I do agree that the condition is characterized by short-term memory. Improving memory in old age is the only option since aging cannot be reversed, and this can be done through such things as learning. Putting the brain into use regularly makes it easy to manage memory. Overall it is a Great Post!

Chloe Johnson Response

Hey Chloe! Dementia is indeed an environmentally influenced condition. However, the disease is not necessarily caused by exposure to chemicals in the environment but also by other factors. Dementia is mostly associated with aging due to its ability to destroy brain capacity. Thus, Dementia contributes significantly to the loss of thinking ability of the infected person, which leads to impaired reasoning. I also agree with your argument that there are very many toxins exposed in the environment that may affect the human brain leading to Dementia. Brain injury is also another environmentally –influenced memory disorder that has a significant role to play in memory loss, especially in the elderly. I agree with your selection of Alzheimer’s disease as a genetically-caused abnormal memory disorder. The condition causes changes in personality due to failure to recognize new instructions or learning environments by the affected persons. Alzheimer’s condition is passed on genetically from parents to their siblings. I also agree that Parkinson’s disease is a disorder, especially affecting the movement and stability of a person. The instability brought by Parkinson’s disorder leads to brain damage due to falling and, thus, an abnormal memory disorder. The condition is as well passed on through inheritance. It is true that aging is inevitable and, therefore, cannot be controlled. As by grow older, their thinking capacity and memory are affected as well. However, intelligence may be said to increase with the increase in age to a certain limit, and so does learning. There are techniques that can be used to boost human memory, such as physical exercises and healthy eating habits. Meditation is also useful in maintaining memory for long.