Many common signs of aging, such as hands that shake, stooped posture and walking slower, may be due to tiny blocked vessels in the brain that can’t be detected by current technology, according to a study in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association September 2011.

In the study, researchers examined brain autopsies of older people and found:

• Microscopic lesions or infarcts — too small to be detected using brain imaging — were in 30 percent of the brains of people who had no diagnosed brain disease or stroke.

• Those who had the most trouble walking had multiple brain lesions.

• Two-thirds of the people had at least one blood vessel abnormality, suggesting a possible link between the blocked vessels and the familiar signs of aging.

In 1994, the researchers began conducting annual exams of 1,100 older nuns and priests for signs of aging. The participants also donated their brains for examination after death.

This study provides results on the first 418 brain autopsies (61 percent women, average 88 years old at death). Although Parkinson’s disease occurs in only 5 percent of older people, at least half of people 85 and older have mild symptoms associated with the disease.

Before the study, researchers believed that something more common, such as microscopic blocked vessels, might be causing the physical decline.

The study’s autopsies found the small lesions could only be seen under a microscope after participants died. The lesions couldn’t be detected by current scans.

During the annual exams of the nuns and priests, researchers used the motor skills portion of a Parkinson’s disease survey to assess their physical abilities. “Often the mild motor symptoms are considered an expected part of aging,” said Buchman, who is also a member of the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center.

“We shouldn’t accept this as normal aging. We should try to fix it and understand it. If there is an underlying cause, we can intervene and perhaps lessen the impact.”

Upcoming Events

Monday: Blood pressure checks, 9 a.m.; cards(Pinochle, Bridge), 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Silver Sneakers, 8:30 a.m.; Exercise with Evie, 9 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30pm, Zumba Gold, 4 p.m.; SilverSneakers 4:30 p.m.; Zumba, 5:30 p.m.; movie “Mrs. Doubtfire,”  6 p.m.

Wednesday: Wood Carvers, 8:30 a.m.; Tai Chi, 9:30 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Cribbage, Duplicate Bridge, 12:30 p.m.; Stitching Bees, 1 p.m.; open chess, 1 p.m.

Thursday: SilverSneakers, 8:30 a.m.; Exercise with Evie, 9 a.m.; Investment Club, 10 a.m.; cards (Pinochle), 12:30 p.m.; Bingo, 1 p.m.; open chess, 1 p.m.; Zumba, 4 p.m.; SilverSneakers, 4:30 p.m.; Zumba, 5:30 p.m.

Friday: Tai Chi, 9:30 a.m.; cards (Bridge Tournament), 12:30 p.m.

Weekly Card Results

Monday Bridge Results

Sept. 12, three tables

1st Loretta Nelson, 2nd Don Patin, 3rd Harriet Oldenburg, 4th Betty Jorgesun, 5th Bud Higgins

Tuesday “500”Results

Sept. 13, four tables

1st Arnold Bergstrom, 2nd Helen Broitzman, 3rd Doris Krebsback, 4th Betty Fisher

Tuesday Afternoon Bridge Results Sept. 13, five tables

1st Bud Higgins, 1st Jim Fischer; 2nd Lorrame Lippert, 2nd Phyllis; 3rd Russ Vaale, 3rd Mabel Vaale; 4th  Gail Schmidt, 4th Ray Schmidt

Friday Bridge Results

Sept. 16, three tables

1st John Allen, 2nd Shirley Knowlton, 3rd Jaynard Johnson, 4th Connie Johnson, 5th Pat Swenson, 6th John Allen

Pinochle

Hilton Henschen, Joy Clark

Friday Cribbage Results

Sep. 16, one and three-fourths tables

1st Dale Peters, 2nd Hilton Henschen

Weekly “500” Results

Results For Sept. 16, three tables

1st  Arnold Bergstrom, 2nd Fran Bolstad, 3rd Helen Broitzmen, 4th Arlys Spurlin

Weekly Cribbage Results

Sept.14, three tables

1st Lottie Seira, 2nd Val LaVallie, 2nd Jaynard Johnson

Semcac Daily Meals

Monday: Chicken pot pie

Tuesday: Beef tips over noodles

Wednesday: Pork steak

Thursday: BBQ beef on bun

Friday: Spaghetti meat sauce