[pearl girl]

Hello. I'm new and have posted regarding my B12 depletion (think it's beyond deficiency @ 68) and mentioned the following briefly. But I'm concerned and puzzled and a bit frightened by the following and decided to post a separate question:

Before I knew that I had a B12 issue, the second neurologist I visited was a specialist in MS. Because of brain MRI which showed 'spots'? lesions? he was fairly certain MS was the problem (which it is not). Anyway as he was reviewing the xrays he said rather casually, "You have the brain of a 78 year woman and what we initially thought were indications of MS are 'old age' spots."

Now I'm 58 and my brain's apparently my mother's age. Precisely what does this mean?? MD was vague. I've net searched and found that brain atrophy can be caused by several things, one of which is a placenta previa? birth - which I was and early by two months. nearly died. But I'm off point.

The crux of my concern is: If my brain is 78 and the brain controls everything in the body, is my heart 78? and are my lungs and CNS?, etc. In other words do I have the health risks and statistics of a 78 year old? Sounds crazy and it's making me a little nuts along with diminished faculties due to empty B12.

Anyone, medical background, moderator, guest ... anyone have an answer to this unusual question? I would be ever so grateful for any responses. Thanks in advance, pearl girl.

[mrsD]

Drugs and alcohol are the most common causes of shrinking brains. Another cause is head trauma.

Dr. Daniel Amen MD has a book called Change Your Brain, Change your Life and he explains alot in it.

I saw him on PBS pledge week a few weeks ago.

And I found the book in my library. He has scans in the book illustrating what lifestyle will do to your brain. Some things like smoking/ excess caffeine also are damaging.

http://www.amenclinics.com/
click on the photo gallery for some scans as examples.
The book is much better because it explains things clearly.

[pearl girl]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid" MrsD, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR THOUGHTFUL AND INFORMATIVE ANSWERS TO MY FEW QUERIES. I APPRECIATE YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND WILLINGNESS TO SHARE IT. MOST SINCERELY, [/COLOR]