Global aging and the brain.

Intrinsic aging of the brain and its relationship to age-related neurodegenerative diseases need to be understood as part of global aging, which results from gradual accumulation of a variety of kinds of cellular and molecular damage. While certain kinds of molecular lesions are particularly associated with specific diseases, there is substantial overlap between the pathways causing disease and those contributing to global aging. Growing evidence indicates that the global aging process is more malleable than used to be thought. This needs to be taken into account in efforts to improve health and retention of mental capital across the life course.