- Dr Asawari Peter
Definition of Ageing
Aging is a complex biological process in
which changes at molecular, cellular, and organ
levels result in a progressive, inevitable, and
inescapable decrease in the body's ability to
respond appropriately to internal and/or
external stressors.
AGEING
Multidimensional process of
Physical,Psychological & Social Change.
Continuous & cumulative-From conception to
death.
First 2 decades of life- phase of productive
ageing process.
Degenerative ageing process- 3rd decade
ELDERLY POPULATION
High fertility + Low mortality during the
20th century has resulted in large and rapid
increases in elderly populations
Elderly accounts for 7.5 % of total Indian
population.(According to 2001 census)
Types of ageing
Chronological ageing
Biological ageing
Social ageing
Pathological
Classification of aging
Young-old group : 65-74 yrs of age
Middle-old group: 75-84 yrs of age
Old-old group : Older than 85 yrs of age
Why do we
age???
EVOLUTIONARY SENESCENCE
THEORY
Natural selection
Genes and mutations that have harmful effects
that appear only after reproduction is over.
Passed on to future generations.
In 1952, Peter Medawar proposed that the
inability of natural selection to influence late-
life trait could mean that genes with
detrimental late-life effects could continue to
be passed from generation to generation.
(Mutation Accumulation Theory)
Antagonistic pleiotropy(George Williams)
Genes that increase the odds of successful
reproduction early in life may have deleterious
effects later in life.
Because the gene’s harmful effects do not
appear until after reproduction is over, they
cannot be eliminated through natural selection.
Example p53 gene that directs damaged cells to
stop reproducing or die.
It is likely that tinkering with genes to improve
late-life fitness could have a detrimental effect
on health at younger ages.
The theory predicts that delaying the age of
reproduction should delay aging, as it would
increase the power of natural selection later in
life.
DISPOSABLE SOMA THEORY
Thomas Kirkwood(1970)
Organisms have to balance the demands of
maintaining their body, or soma, cells and
reproducing.
Overtime mutations and other cellular damage
accumulate in the soma because the body
cannot repair all of it.
Species, such as mice, invest more energy in
reproduction than in maintaining health
because an individual is unlikely to live long
anyway.
Humans can therefore allocate more resources
to repairing physical damage since they can
reproduce over a longer period of time
HOW DO WE
AGE???
Theories of Ageing
Biological theories:
❑ Genetic theory
❑ Non-genetic theory
Psychosocial theories:
❑ Disengagement theory
❑ Activity theory
❑ Continuity theory
BIOLOGICAL
THEORIES
GENETIC THEORIES
DNA & genetic theory
Cross-linking theory
Hayflick limit theory
Non – genetic theories
Wear and tear theory
Altered protein theory
Mitochondrial decline theory
Free radical theory
Neuroendocrine theory
Waste accumulation theory
GENETIC CONTROL THEORY
It focuses on the genetic programming encoded
within our DNA.
Unique genetic code
Predetermined tendency to certain types of
physical and mental functioning.
Tell about how long we live.
Each of us has a biological clock ticking away
set to go off at a particular time.
The timing on this genetic clock is subject to
enormous variation
CROSS-LINKING THEORY
Glycosylation theory of aging.
Proteins,DNA, and other structural molecules
develop inappropriate attachments or crosslinks
to one another.
Decrease the mobility or elasticity of proteins
and other molecules.
Normally broken down by proteases
Presence of cross-linkages inhibits the activity
of proteases.
These damaged and unneeded proteins,
therefore, stick around and can cause problems.
HAYFLICK LIMIT THEORY
Hayflick Leonard
Biological clock
Human fibroblast cells have a limited life span.
Divide approximately 50 times over a period of
years and then suddenly stopped.
Nutrition affect on the rate of cell division.
Overfed cells made up to 50 divisions in a
year, while underfed cells took up to 3 times as
long as normal cells.
WEAR & TEAR THEORY
Body and its cells are damaged by overuse and
abuse.
Factors affecting:
Toxins in diet & environment;
Excessive consumption of fat,sugar, caffeine,
alcohol and nicotine;
By the ultraviolet rays of the sun and
By the many other physical and emotional
stresses to which we subject our bodies.
NOT confined to organs, but also takes place
on the cellular level.
ALTERED PROTEIN THEORY
Increase in no. of altered proteins with increase
in age.
Change in ability to remove old cells
FREE RADICAL THEORY:
Free radicals are reactive molecules containing
one or more unpaired electrons.
Originates from Oxidative Phosphorylation
To attack other molecules indiscriminately and
cause fragmentation or cross-linking of
molecules.
Mitochondrial DNA> Nuclear DNA.
Production controlled by enzymes like
superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase &
glutathione peroxidase.
FREE RADICAL THEORY
MITOCHONDRIAL THEORY
Mitochondria-lack most of the defenses
Electrons leaking from the ETC reduce
molecular oxygen to form O2- which can
cause the generation of other ROS.
Damage to ETC components and mtDNA,
thus increasing further the production of ROS.
‘VICIOUS CYCLE’
NEUROENDOCRINE HYPOTHESIS
Vladimir Dilman & Ward Dean
Hypothalamus
Cortisol & Estrogen
Later-life reduction of hormones,responsible
for aging.
Waste accumulation
theory
Cells produce more waste than they can
properly eliminate.
Waste Accumulation-interfere with normal cell
function-ultimately kills cell.
Lipofuscin- most commonly heart & nerves
PSYCHOSOCIAL
THEORIES
DISENGAGEMENT THEORY
Mutual agreement between the older adult and
society to separate from each other
Beneficial to both
Very controversial theory
ACTIVITY THEORY
People need to stay active if they are to age
successfully
Promotes life satisfaction and positive self
concept
Can be either physical or intellectual
CONTINUITY THEORY
How a person has been throughout life so
he/she will be throughout the reminder of
his/her life
As people age,they try to maintain or continue
pervious habits, preferences,commitments,
values and beliefs
VISUAL SYSTEM
Visual acuity may decline
Trouble adapting to dark or bright light
Reduced visual field
Miosis
Decreased tears
Hard to differentiate blue & green than yellow
& red
Yellowing & opacity of cornea
Increase in size & density of lens
Atrophy of ciliary muscles
Decrease in blood supply & neurons in retina
HEARING
Presbycusis
Decrease in sensitivity to high frequency tones
Impairment if speech discrimination especially
for the specific sounds of the alphabet
(s,sh,ch,f,g,t,z);
Pinna droops as we age
External auditory canal grows hair
Ear drum becomes thinner and flaccid
Decrease in blood supply to inner ear
Excess bone formation
Membranes becomes less flexible
Small bones become stiffer
Degeneration of vestibular system
Equilibrium and balance is compromised
VESTIBULAR SYSTEM
Degeneration of vestibular system
Presbyastasis
- Decline in hair cells of saccule, utricle
And semicircular canals
Equilibrium and balance is compromised
TASTE & SMELL
Decline in the ability to taste especially after
the age of 80.
Sense of smell may diminish, especially after
age 70.
HEARING
30% people over
age 65 have
impairment
TOUCH- VISION
Gradual -Usually need
reduction after glasses by 55
50- injuries, -Only 15-20%
hypothermia SENSES have ↓ driving
ability
Normal acuity
↓ with age
SMELL-
Decreases after
70 yrs- may TASTE- Minimal
affect hygiene changes
SKIN CHANGES
Loss of underlying connective tissue, fat and
oil glands → wrinkles, sagging skin,loss of
elasticity
Thinner, paler, and translucent
Increased sensitivity to heat/cold, bruising, and
bedsores
“Age Spots" due to deposits of melanin
pigment
Ability to perspire is decreased
HAIR & NAIL CHANGES
HAIR
Hair color is due to pigment ‘melanin’-
gradually decreases after age 30-40
Loses pigmentation → turns hair gray/white
Manifests earliest in scalp, followed by
facial/body hair
Occurs earlier in Caucasians compared to
Asians
Alopecia- baldness/ hair loss
Coarsening of hair common
Nails:
Become dull, brittle, ridged, thickened, grow
slower
METABOLIC SYSTEM
After age of 25, approximately a 1% decrease
per year in their metabolic rate.
This overall slowing results in food being less
well absorbed and utilized.
decrease in the overall metabolism of drugs.
THANK YOU…
