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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Highlighting and Reducing the Impact of Negative Aging Stereotypes During Older Adults' Cognitive Testing
Published on: January 24, 2020
[Psychological problems of incurable patients in old age (author's transl)]
Abstract:
Biological functions are regulated by feedback mechanisms. In old age disorders occur in this regulation by insufficiency of biochemical transmitters. The synthesizing enzymes of Tyrosine Hydroxylase, Tryptophan Hydroxylase, Dopa Decarboxylase and 5-Hydroxytryptophan Decarboxylase are diminished in old age. Minus symptoms as depression, or exhaustion and disorders of circulation occur. A substitution by biogenic transmitters is not possible, because these don't pass the blood-brain-barriere. Therefore a medication of psychopharmacological drugs is necessary. For instance Anxiety--tranquilizer, exhaustion--anti depressive drugs.
Insights
In old age, reduced enzyme activity impairs neurotransmitter synthesis, leading to depression and circulation issues. Psychopharmacological drugs are necessary to restore balance as biogenic transmitters cannot cross the blood-brain barrier.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Gerontology
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