Extensively revised and updated to reflect the current state of knowledge in the study of aging, Physiological Basis of Aging and Geriatrics offers a complete profile of the aging process at all levels, from molecules and cells to demography and evolution.

The book includes aspects of individual, comparative, and differential aging, and discussions of theories and mechanisms of aging. It illustrates how bodily systems, organs, and functions are affected with aging, describes how genetic and environmental factors influence age-related changes, and addresses some of the clinical consequences of these changes for health and longevity. It is well illustrated, with numerous tables and graphs.

New updated information includes:

• emphasis on emerging technologies and recent advances in biology and bioengineering that allow greater and longer independence of the elderly
• recent therapeutic developments in key diseases such as Alzheimer's, osteopenia, osteoporosis, high cholesterol, diabetes, gastritis, sexual impotence, and using transgenic animals as models of aging
• evaluates the latest knowledge on the roles of oxidants and antioxidants, and correlates them with other aging-based theories
• expanded discussion of nutrition and physical exercise
• chapters include gene and stem cell interventions related to the aging process updated tables to reflect current trends, new research data, and
• up-to-date statistical information

Contents

Part I: General Perspectives

1. Old Age as a Stage of Life: Common Terms Related to Aging and Methods Used to Study Aging
2. Human Longevity in Historical Perspective
3. Comparative Aging, Geriatric Functional Assessment, Aging, and Disease
4. Cellular Senescence, Cell Death, and Transgenic Mouse Models of Aging
5. Theories of Life Span and Aging

Part II: Systemic and Organismic Aging

6. The Nervous System: Structural, Biochemical, Metabolic, and Circulatory Changes
7. The Nervous System: Functional Changes with Aging
8. Sensory Systems: Normal Aging, Disorders, and Treatments of Vision and Hearing in Humans
9. The Adrenals and Pituitary, Stress, Adaptation, and Longevity
10. Female Reproductive Aging and Menopause
11. The Ensemble Male Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis
12. The Thyroid, Parathyroid, and Pineal Glands
13. The Endocrine Pancreas, Obesity, and Diffuse Endocrine and Chemical Mediators
14. The Immune System
15. Cardiovascular Alterations with Aging: Atherosclerosis and Coronary Heart Disease
16. Lipids, Lipoproteins, and Atherosclerosis
17. The Pulmonary Respiratory System: Hematopoiesis and Erythrocytes, The Kidney, the Lower Urinary Tract, Body Fluids, and the Prostate
18. The Gastrointestinal Tract and the Liver
19. The Skeleton, Joints, and Skeletal and Cardiac Muscles
20. The Skin

Part III: Prevention and Rehabilitation

21. Pharmacology and Drug Management in the Elderly
22. Healthful Aging: Nutrition and Experimental Strategies in Dietary Restriction
23. Benefits of Physical Exercise
24. Regenerative Perspectives and Assistive Technologies

Index

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