BS2014 Topic 9 – Neurological Ageing & Exercise as Neuroprotection

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering the key definitions, structural and biochemical mechanisms, and the neuroprotective role of exercise in neurological ageing.

Neurological ageing

Age-related changes in the structure and function of the nervous system.

Central nervous system (CNS)

The brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing and coordinating information.

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

The nerves outside the brain and spinal cord that connect the CNS to the rest of the body.

Neuron

A specialised nerve cell that transmits electrical and chemical signals.

Neuroplasticity

The ability of the nervous system to reorganise and adapt in response to experience, learning or injury.

Motor neuron

A neuron that carries signals from the CNS to skeletal muscle to produce movement.

Motor unit

A motor neuron and all the muscle fibres it innervates.

Reaction time

The time taken to respond to a stimulus.

Balance

The ability to maintain the body's centre of mass over its base of support.

Proprioception

The body's ability to sense the position and movement of joints and limbs.

Cognition

Mental processes involved in thinking, memory, learning and decision-making.

Cognitive decline

A reduction in cognitive function associated with ageing.

Dementia

A group of disorders characterised by progressive decline in memory, thinking and daily functioning.

Alzheimer's disease

The most common form of dementia, characterised by progressive loss of memory and cognitive function.

Parkinson's disease

A neurodegenerative disorder characterised by tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural instability.

Neurodegeneration

The progressive loss of structure or function of neurons.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor ($BDNF$)

A protein that supports neuron survival, growth and neuroplasticity.

Executive function

Higher-order cognitive processes such as planning, attention, problem-solving and decision-making.

Dual-tasking

Performing two tasks simultaneously, often used to assess neurological function.

Cerebral atrophy

A structural change in neurological ageing involving the loss of brain tissue.

Oxidative stress

A biochemical change in ageing involving reactive oxygen species ($ROS$).

Mitochondrial dysfunction

A biochemical mechanism of neurological ageing involving the failure of cellular energy production.

Proteostasis

The process of maintaining protein homeostasis, which becomes impaired during neurological ageing.

$$IGF-1$$

Insulin-like growth factor 1, a neurotrophin that is reduced in ageing but can be increased through exercise.

Irisin

A protein increased by exercise that contributes to neuroprotection.

Neurogenesis

The process of generating new neurons, which is enhanced by exercise.

Hippocampal volume

The size of the hippocampus, which exercise helps increase to support brain structure.