Tuesday 29th November.
5pm, F21, 7 George Square.
Professor Rudi Westendorp: Success in old age
[Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (CCACE) St Andrews Day Seminar]
Professor Rudi Westendorp (http://publichealth.ku.dk/staff/?pure=en%2Fpersons%2Frudi-gj-westendorp(3f2bdb94-8a6e-4478-955d-3d964c85ab94).html) from the Centre for Healthy Ageing at the University of Copenhagen will be speaking on "Success in old age".
Abstract: There is a rapidly expanding evidence base indicating that a poorly functioning body - due to the ageing process - directly and indirectly affects the brain, which gives rise to cognitive decline, feelings of depression and a delirious mind. There is also ample clinical evidence that a poor mental condition further worsens the physical state of the body resulting in a negative spiral, especially in socioeconomically poor conditions in which social networks are small and/or dysfunctional. The accumulation of damage to body and brain however, can be prevented or alleviated with behavioural and medical interventions, some of which are already available but not yet implemented. Thus, it is critical to understand the cues in the physical-, societal-, and professional environment that prevent us from taking up a healthy behaviour and those that trigger people to adopt a healthy lifestyle. In this lecture I will make a plea that there is a clear need to complement powerful reductionist laboratory approaches in model systems with explorative and experimental research methodologies in humans, and merge these methodologies with systematic, state-of-the-art data-management and analysis methods to synthesize and generate mechanistic understanding of biological and societal issues from a big-picture-perspective.
The seminar will be held at 5pm in room F21 of the Department of Psychology, 7 George Square. A drinks reception will follow the talk. All are welcome to attend. Booking is not required.