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0:00:04 > 0:00:06- We're all different.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09- We all live a life - that's unique to us.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12- From our first breath...
0:00:12 > 0:00:14- ..throughout our life...
0:00:15 > 0:00:16- ..we learn and change...
0:00:16 > 0:00:19- ..we learn and change...- - ..as we adapt to our surroundings.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22- I'm Dr Anwen Jones, - a Physiology lecturer...
0:00:22 > 0:00:25- ..at Cardiff Metropolitan - University.
0:00:26 > 0:00:31- I'm Dr Katie Hemer, a Bioarchaeology - specialist at Sheffield University.
0:00:32 > 0:00:36- We'll look at the key developmental - steps for body and brain...
0:00:37 > 0:00:41- ..as we grow, mature and welcome - new members to our midst.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46- In each programme, we focus - on a specific stage of our life.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50- This is our journey through life.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59- Later Life
0:01:04 > 0:01:09- As we get older, our bodies - and our way of thinking change.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15- Why do we age? What challenges - face the body as we get older?
0:01:17 > 0:01:20- What's the secret - to a long, healthy life?
0:01:21 > 0:01:24- One thing's for certain - - having a good time is crucial.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45- We've followed the Smith family - throughout the series.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48- They've helped us find out more...
0:01:49 > 0:01:52- ..about life's developmental stages.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57- I talked to Marilyn about being - a mother and a grandmother...
0:01:57 > 0:02:00- ..and about life after retirement.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03- Marilyn, you're 68.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07- When you were in your 20s, how did - you picture life in your 60s?
0:02:08 > 0:02:10- In my head, I feel the same.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15- I think like I did when I was young, - so not a lot changes there.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20- Of course, I don't have - as much energy as I did before.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24- Is it important - to keep busy as you get older?
0:02:26 > 0:02:30- Yes, otherwise you sit in a chair - watching television.
0:02:30 > 0:02:31- It's just boring.
0:02:32 > 0:02:33- I'm not like that.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35- I've never been like that.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39- I always - need to have something going on.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47- I enjoy painting - and I do it when the mood takes me.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53- I go out with my friends - for a coffee and a chat.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01- I enjoy walking along the beach - searching for driftwood.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04- I enjoy collecting things.
0:03:06 > 0:03:07- I see quite a lot of Non...
0:03:08 > 0:03:11- ..and I help her - have a bit of free time...
0:03:12 > 0:03:14- ..without the children.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19- James and Non can go out for a meal - or to meet their friends.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24- I enjoy joining in - and doing things with the children.
0:03:25 > 0:03:26- I can be like one of them!
0:03:29 > 0:03:30- Why not?
0:03:33 > 0:03:36- What's the secret - to a long and healthy life?
0:03:37 > 0:03:39- It depends how you look at it.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43- If you've lived a busy life, - you just carry on.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46- Things don't have to stop, - just like that.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50- You just do things differently.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57- What happens to the body as we age?
0:03:57 > 0:04:00- The skin get thinner - and less elastic...
0:04:00 > 0:04:03- ..as its collagen - and elastin levels drop.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05- This results in wrinkles.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09- Gravity doesn't help either - as the skin sags.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14- Our hair thins and most of us - are grey by the age of 60.
0:04:15 > 0:04:20- Cells which produce melanin, which - gives hair its colour, disappear...
0:04:20 > 0:04:25- ..so, as new hair grows no colour - is fed into it, so it will be grey.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29- We lose hair on our heads but hair - begins to sprout in other areas.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32- This is true in men and women.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35- Light hairs all over the body - begin to darken.
0:04:36 > 0:04:37- We even shrink.
0:04:37 > 0:04:42- Between the age of 50 and 70, - men shrink by an inch in height...
0:04:42 > 0:04:44- ..and women shrink by two inches.
0:04:44 > 0:04:49- It happens because bones, especially - the spine, become compressed.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53- Our senses become less sensitive - as we age.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56- This makes it harder - for us to communicate...
0:04:56 > 0:05:00- ..and to pay attention - to our surroundings.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02- But it can also - work to our advantage.
0:05:02 > 0:05:08- Rheumatoid arthritis usually begins - to affect middle-aged people...
0:05:08 > 0:05:10- ..and it continues into later life.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- Treatments are available - to slow the condition...
0:05:15 > 0:05:19- ..but they don't suit everyone - and there's no cure at the moment.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24- One reason for this is there are - many types of the disease.
0:05:25 > 0:05:30- At the Cardiff School Of Medicine - Arthritis UK research centre...
0:05:30 > 0:05:34- ..they study the many types - to better understand the disease.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37- I met Dr Gareth Jones - to find out more.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41- Gareth, - what causes rheumatoid arthritis?
0:05:43 > 0:05:47- It's a process where the cells - in the body's autoimmune system...
0:05:48 > 0:05:52- ..start to attack the joints - and damage bones and cartilage.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54- It's permanent.
0:05:54 > 0:05:59- The damage caused to the bones - and cartilage is irreversible.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04- Unlike osteoarthritis, - which is caused by wear and tear...
0:06:04 > 0:06:09- ..rheumatoid arthritis - is an autoimmune disease.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14- The body's immune system - includes many different cells...
0:06:14 > 0:06:19- ..which usually work as a team - to protect the body from disease.
0:06:19 > 0:06:24- For some reason, these cells attack - the joints in rheumatoid arthritis.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28- What is the focus of your research?
0:06:28 > 0:06:33- I try to better understand - the different rheumatoid diseases.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37- As you see here, we use - fluorescent antibodies...
0:06:37 > 0:06:42- ..to recognize the different types - of immune cells in the joint.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44- The pattern reveals a lot...
0:06:45 > 0:06:49- ..about what type of inflammation - is affecting the joint.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53- Different types - of rheumatoid arthritis...
0:06:53 > 0:06:56- ..give you different patterns - on the screen?
0:06:57 > 0:07:00- Yes, the immune cell patterns - are totally different.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03- What part do genes play in it?
0:07:03 > 0:07:07- Looking at the joint, different - patterns of immune cells...
0:07:07 > 0:07:11- ..mean that different genes - are active in the joint.
0:07:11 > 0:07:17- Different groups of genes are active - in different types of rheumatoid.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23- In the future, the hope is - to use these different genes...
0:07:24 > 0:07:26- ..as some sort of flag...
0:07:26 > 0:07:30- ..to tell us this person - has a specific type of rheumatoid.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34- How effective - is the current treatment?
0:07:35 > 0:07:39- There are some fantastic therapies - available for rheumatoid.
0:07:40 > 0:07:45- But we don't know enough about the - types at the point of diagnosis...
0:07:45 > 0:07:51- ..so we don't use these therapies in - the most effective way possible.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56- For example, around 40% - of rheumatoid sufferers...
0:07:57 > 0:08:01- ..don't react well to - the best therapies on the market.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04- In the future, - you're looking for two things.
0:08:04 > 0:08:09- Identifying the specific type - of rheumatoid a person has...
0:08:09 > 0:08:11- ..so that you can better treat it.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16- Secondly, to try to halt rheumatoid - before it can cause damage.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21- Yes, because it's permanent damage.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23- The brain remains plastic.
0:08:23 > 0:08:28- That means it changes and adapts - throughout childhood and adulthood.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- What happens to the brain - as we get older?
0:08:31 > 0:08:36- Does it retain its plasticity and - continue to change and develop...
0:08:36 > 0:08:40- ..or does our capacity - to learn new things stop?
0:08:40 > 0:08:43- Dr Emily Cross's team - at Bangor University...
0:08:43 > 0:08:48- ..looks at the way the brain changes - throughout our life.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51- They devised a research project - to look at this.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56- Volunteers aged between 60 and 80 - dance to a computer game.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59- Before the research starts, - they have a brain scan...
0:09:00 > 0:09:03- ..as they see pictures - of people dancing.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07- They dance to a computer game - for five days.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10- They then have a second scan.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- Researchers compare - their brain activity at the end...
0:09:15 > 0:09:19- ..to their brain activity - before they started dancing.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22- There's all these myths out there - that we stop learning.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26- That our brains - become less plastic with age.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29- But we can learn many things - well into advanced age.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34- We wanted to look at older adults - to get a neural signature...
0:09:34 > 0:09:36- ..of how the brain changes...
0:09:36 > 0:09:39- ..and how efficiently - it's able to learn new information.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46- As they dance to the computer game - they copy the movements they see.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51- The computer game gives the - volunteers an unbiased score...
0:09:51 > 0:09:56- ..which the researchers use to - assess their development over time.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59- As we learn a new skill, - such as a dance move...
0:10:00 > 0:10:04- ..specific areas of the brain - work really hard.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08- As we become familiar with - performing this new skill...
0:10:08 > 0:10:10- ..those areas become less active...
0:10:11 > 0:10:14- ..even though - we're performing the same movement.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19- This happens because the brain - becomes more efficient over time...
0:10:19 > 0:10:22- ..as we get used to - performing the move.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25- That means - the brain uses less energy.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28- Is this still the case - as we get older?
0:10:28 > 0:10:31- There's evidence - for neural efficiency.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- At the first day of scanning, - our older adults' brains...
0:10:35 > 0:10:37- ..were much more active - than in the last day.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40- We want to get into this data - in more detail...
0:10:40 > 0:10:45- ..and understand which types of - learning leads to neural efficiency.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49- As we get older, - our brain at no time stops changing.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52- There's emphasis - on plasticity in young age...
0:10:53 > 0:10:56- ..but we're learning all the time, - even later in life.
0:11:07 > 0:11:12- Next, we use our imagination - and weigh things up...
0:11:12 > 0:11:16- ..as we look at more developments - in later life.
0:11:16 > 0:11:17- .
0:11:20 > 0:11:20- Subtitles
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0:11:24 > 0:11:25- Why do we age?
0:11:25 > 0:11:29- Nobody has ever - lived longer than 125 years.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32- On a global average, - we live for around 71 years.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36- It seems a person - has a definite lifespan.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39- It's believed we mature...
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- ..by following - at least one developmental clock...
0:11:44 > 0:11:46- ..which is present in our genes.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48- Ageing is part of this process.
0:11:48 > 0:11:53- Some see the body as a machine - made of millions of tiny parts...
0:11:53 > 0:11:56- ..which become worn over the years.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00- It takes around 1,600 calories - per day to maintain the body.
0:12:01 > 0:12:06- Some say we can only burn a specific - total of calories in a lifetime...
0:12:06 > 0:12:09- ..and ageing happens - as we approach this limit.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13- Telomers, caps on the chromosomes - within cells...
0:12:13 > 0:12:17- ..get shorter and shorter - each time the cell divides...
0:12:17 > 0:12:20- ..until the cell can divide no more.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24- This can affect the body's capacity - to renew itself.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27- We all age at a different speed.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30- Our biological age - can differ from out social age.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34- There's no answer - to the question why we age...
0:12:34 > 0:12:37- ..but genes, - environment and lifestyle...
0:12:38 > 0:12:41- ..certainly affects - how quickly this happens.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50- Dementia is a disorder - which is linked to ageing...
0:12:50 > 0:12:55- ..although, in reality, it isn't - part of the natural ageing process.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00- Around 37,000 people in Wales - live with some form of dementia.
0:13:00 > 0:13:05- There is no cure for dementia, - so much of the research into it...
0:13:05 > 0:13:08- ..is focused - on slowing its progress...
0:13:08 > 0:13:13- ..or improving the quality of life - of those living with dementia.
0:13:13 > 0:13:18- I'm in Llangollen to learn about - a special research project...
0:13:18 > 0:13:23- ..run by the team at the Dementia - Services Development Centre, Bangor.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26- In the - Dementia And Imagination project...
0:13:26 > 0:13:31- ..people with dementia - take part in a creative arts group.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34- It's a 12-week project - run by a local artist.
0:13:35 > 0:13:40- Researchers interview contributors - before the project starts.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43- They're assessed - during the sessions...
0:13:43 > 0:13:48- ..and interviewed at the end of the - project and after three months.
0:13:49 > 0:13:50- They analyze the data...
0:13:51 > 0:13:55- ..to see if the project - benefited the contributors...
0:13:55 > 0:13:58- ..and had an effect - on their dementia.
0:13:58 > 0:14:03- This project is also run - in two research centres in England.
0:14:03 > 0:14:08- How will the data help you - understand more about dementia?
0:14:08 > 0:14:12- There's great interest - in the effect or the advantages...
0:14:12 > 0:14:17- ..of encouraging those with dementia - to attend arts and crafts classes.
0:14:18 > 0:14:22- We try to see if the element of - visual arts is something special.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25- We also look at its potential...
0:14:25 > 0:14:29- ..to help people cope - with the difficulties they face.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34- What challenges - do those living with dementia face?
0:14:35 > 0:14:39- The reason behind someone - suffering from dementia can vary...
0:14:39 > 0:14:41- ..and its effects vary too.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45- It can impair - their short-term memory.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49- It can also cause people - to have communication difficulties.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52- That can be very frustrating.
0:14:52 > 0:14:57- It can also leave people feeling - isolated and lacking in confidence.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03- The attitude of society in general - towards dementia is a challenge...
0:15:03 > 0:15:05- ..and that's why - we're working towards...
0:15:06 > 0:15:09- ..creating - dementia-friendly communities.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14- John is a member of the group.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18- I asked him and Cath, his wife, - about this new challenge.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23- Too many people our age and younger - sit around doing nothing.
0:15:23 > 0:15:28- It's nice to have a challenge - for the mind and to create things.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35- As an engineer, I enjoyed being busy - and creating new things.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41- You use your mind - when you do something like this.
0:15:42 > 0:15:46- That's a good thing, especially - for people who have Alzheimer's.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51- Every time you use your mind, - it can only be beneficial.
0:15:52 > 0:15:53- Yes. It keeps you going.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56- It keeps this grey matter going.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02- Is there - a stigma attached to dementia?
0:16:02 > 0:16:07- Yes, and I think it stems from - a lack of understanding and fear.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10- By exhibiting these artworks...
0:16:10 > 0:16:14- ..and celebrating - the members' success...
0:16:14 > 0:16:17- ..we hope to break down that stigma.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21- It's nice - for them to do something positive.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26- At present, there is no way to - stop dementia, once it's developed.
0:16:26 > 0:16:31- The aim of our projects is to help - people live full, healthy lives...
0:16:31 > 0:16:35- ..despite them - being diagnosed with dementia.
0:16:35 > 0:16:40- It's been a pleasure to follow the - group members through the project.
0:16:40 > 0:16:45- They have fun, they crack jokes, - make friends and they feel proud.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55- In order to have a chance - of prevention or even cure...
0:16:55 > 0:16:59- ..we must understand - exactly how dementia develops.
0:16:59 > 0:17:04- At CUBRIC, Cardiff University, - they strive to find answers...
0:17:04 > 0:17:09- ..through research studying links - between obesity, genes and dementia.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12- I volunteered - to take part in an experiment.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16- First, they measure my weight - and height to find my BMI.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21- They also take a saliva sample, - which they'll screen...
0:17:21 > 0:17:25- ..to search for genes which are - known to increase the risk...
0:17:25 > 0:17:28- ..of developing Alzheimer's.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30- Next, I take a mini mental test.
0:17:33 > 0:17:39- This is a standard Alzheimer's test - and now I'm ready for my MRI scan.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42- Rather than look at - brain activity...
0:17:42 > 0:17:48- ..the MRI scanner captures images - of connections between brain cells.
0:17:48 > 0:17:54- These are the brain's pathways, - down which messages are passed...
0:17:54 > 0:17:56- ..from one part to another.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59- Alzheimer's can affect these paths.
0:17:59 > 0:18:04- Some brain areas are important for - Alzheimer's or dementia in general.
0:18:05 > 0:18:10- This area, called the hippocampus, - is often implicated in dementia.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15- We look at the connections - between the hippocampus...
0:18:16 > 0:18:17- ..and the rest of the brain.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20- This is your brain.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23- It shows a tract which runs - down towards the hippocampus...
0:18:24 > 0:18:26- ..and up, to the rest of the brain.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30- This pathway is called the fornix.
0:18:30 > 0:18:35- You can see degeneration within - the fornix in people with dementia.
0:18:35 > 0:18:40- Is the fornix the only part of the - brain which is affected by dementia?
0:18:40 > 0:18:43- No. Several structures are affected.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- Importantly, - not every path is affected.
0:18:46 > 0:18:52- The blue path you see here is very - important for controlling movement.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54- This isn't affected by dementia.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57- It affects - specific areas of the brain.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00- In addition - to capturing images of my brain...
0:19:01 > 0:19:06- ..they also scanned my abdomen - to look at the fat around my organs.
0:19:06 > 0:19:11- Extensive research suggests there - may be a link between a high BMI...
0:19:11 > 0:19:14- ..and being affected by dementia - in later life.
0:19:15 > 0:19:20- Unfortunately, BMI isn't a very - accurate measurement of obesity.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23- That's why we scan the abdomen.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27- It's important to know - exactly where the body stores fat.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32- If the fat is just under the skin, - it may be less damaging...
0:19:32 > 0:19:37- ..than visceral fat, - which is stored around the organs.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41- This is an image of your body fat.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45- There's fat around the sides, - as you'd expect.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47- Not a lot, I must say!
0:19:47 > 0:19:51- There's very little fat - around the organs, which is good.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55- Researchers know the presence - of a gene called APOE4...
0:19:55 > 0:19:59- ..increases the risk - of developing Alzheimer's.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04- This gene plays a part - in the way the brain processes fat.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09- The researchers study the link - between visceral fat...
0:20:10 > 0:20:13- ..and this gene's role - in Alzheimer's.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17- You can use your findings...
0:20:17 > 0:20:20- ..to lower the risk - of developing Alzheimer's?
0:20:21 > 0:20:24- Yes, by using this data and - the data we get from the brain...
0:20:25 > 0:20:29- ..we hope to offer - mid-life risk-reduction advice...
0:20:30 > 0:20:34- ..in the form of lifestyle changes - they could adopt...
0:20:35 > 0:20:37- ..to minimize risk in later life.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45- Like every other stage, later life - is a time of great change.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49- We've reached the final chapter - of our life journey...
0:20:50 > 0:20:55- ..and it's becoming an increasingly - long chapter as we live longer.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58- We all age at a different rate.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02- Lifestyle and genes - influence this...
0:21:02 > 0:21:05- ..and we all face different - challenges as the body ages.
0:21:06 > 0:21:12- Research and scientific developments - help us understand these challenges.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16- We may be able to halt or - prevent them in the near future.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20- The body may slow down - but we're still learning...
0:21:21 > 0:21:26- ..and diet, exercise and socializing - are extremely important.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30- They help us - live a long and healthy life.
0:21:36 > 0:21:37- Hiya, Anwen.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39- Hiya, Anwen.- - Hiya, Katie.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42- Anwen, we've reached - the end of the series.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45- We've looked at - a person's development...
0:21:46 > 0:21:48- ..from birth to later life.
0:21:48 > 0:21:52- We've learned a lot - about the brain and the body...
0:21:53 > 0:21:54- ..and the way they develop.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57- Speaking of babies, you have news!
0:21:58 > 0:22:02- Yes. My belly is a bit flatter than - it was at the start of the series!
0:22:03 > 0:22:05- I had a baby girl - Mali Haf.
0:22:05 > 0:22:10- I'm sure you can't wait to watch - Mali Haf grow and develop.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13- Yes, and nothing happens by chance.
0:22:13 > 0:22:18- There's a developmental reason for - everything we do, even as babies.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21- The experiment - with glasses and sweets...
0:22:22 > 0:22:27- ..which showed how children think - differently from adults was amazing.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30- The brain changes - during our teens...
0:22:30 > 0:22:33- ..explaining - a lot of teenager behaviour.
0:22:33 > 0:22:38- It's interesting how the brain - develops and changes...
0:22:39 > 0:22:40- ..throughout our lives.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45- Our brains will even change - during this conversation.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49- Yes, and the more we know - about brain development...
0:22:50 > 0:22:53- ..the better - we understand Alzheimer's.
0:22:53 > 0:22:58- Yes, all of which allows us - to live longer, healthier lives.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00- Yes.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19- S4C subtitles by Eirlys A Jones
0:23:19 > 0:23:19- .