Sarcopenia is a major therapeutic challenge and a public health priority in both the US and Europe. More than two decades after the word was first used to define a distinct clinical condition, the definition of sarcopenia remains open for discussion,nd its clinical relevance is still not fully understood. This book provides some answers. It is a valuable addition to the existing literature, providing a one-stop shop for state-of-the-art information on a topic of particular relevance for geriatricians and all those who care for the older population.

　Sarcopenia has serious health consequences of sarcopenia in terms of frailty, disability, morbidity, and mortality. Identifying high risk groups of older people is straightforward, but making a diagnosis is more difficult. Having addressed the definition of sarcopenia the book therefore goes on to discuss current open questions that concern the clinical management of the condition. Chapters cover nosology, pathophysiology, clinical identification, and treatment: for example, is sarcopenia a normal part of the ageing process? When does it become a disease state? Is it only a morphologic or functional abnormality, or is it an age-related disease? Epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of sarcopenia are covered, as well as possible methods of prevention and treatment options.


　　ㆍ　Defines and explains the clinical relevance of sarcopenia
　　ㆍ　Covers all recent scientific evidence
　　ㆍ　Discusses treatment options
　　ㆍ　Considers ways of prevention

　Written by experts in the field from both the US and Europe, this book will be of practical interest to geriatricians, clinicians and professionals working in nursing homes, nutrition and sport medicine. It is also a valuable and comprehensive reference work for professionals, post-graduates and researchers on age-related diseases, disability, nutrition and geriatric medicine.

List of Contributors vii
Preface xi

1 　Epidemiology of Muscle Mass Loss with Age 1
2 　Definitions of Sarcopenia 8
3 　Muscle Biology and mTORC1 Signaling in Aging 20
4 　The Role of the Nervous System in Muscle Atrophy 41
5 　Nutrition, Protein Turnover and Muscle Mass 59
6 　The Complex Relation between Muscle Mass and Muscle Strength 74
7 　Is Sarcopenia a Geriatric Syndrome? 104
8 　Adverse Outcomes and Functional Consequences of Sarcopenia 114
9 　A Lifecourse Approach to Sarcopenia 125
10　Cachexia and Sarcopenia 141
11　Sarcopenia and Frailty 154
12　Sarcopenia, Osteoporosis and Fractures 168
13　Sarcopenic Obesity 181
14　Imaging of Skeletal Muscle 193
15　Measurements of Muscle Mass, Equations and Cut-off Points 205
16　Measurement of Muscle Strength and Power 226
17　Measurements of Physical Performance 238
18　Exercise Interventions to Improve Sarcopenia 252
19　Nutritional Approaches to Treating Sarcopenia 275
20　The Future of Drug Treatments 296
21　Sarcopenia: Is It Preventable? 324

Index 339