2: Normal Aging and Cognition + Medication and Aging Flashcards
What is happening with the older adult population in the US?
significant growth (secondary to factors such as falling birth rates, increased longevity)
What is the range for young old?
65-75
What is the range for middle old?
75-84
What is the range for old old?
85+
What were the top 3 leading causes of death in 2020?
1) heart disease
2) cancer
3) COVID-19
Brain slowing as a result of synaptic pruning is due to what?
learning and environmental factors
Grey matter volume peaks in the frontal and parietal lobes at age:
12
Grey matter volume peaks in the temporal lobes at age:
16
Grey matter volume peaks in the occipital lobes at age:
20
When does development “end”?
25
The emotional centers (or ________ regions) develop before the ___________ regions. And _____ peak before _____.
limbic
prefrontal
girls, boys
What does the emotional center development before prefrontal regions lead to?
risky behaviors, decreased self-regulation
substance use typically starts
When do we see first episode of psychiatric disorders and drug use?
Adolesence
What is happening in the adolescent brain?
synaptic pruning (unused connections are eliminated, what you do with your time directly affects prefrontal wiring)
When is myelination of the parietal lobe completed?
adolescence
When is myelination of the frontal lobe completed
not until the 30s
What area of the brain is most vulnerable to atrophy as we age?
frontal lobe
Where does our highest level of cognitive thought occur?
frontal lobe
Effective and efficient cognitive function depends on what 4 things?
1) degree of myelination
2) integrity of white matter
3) density and richness of synaptic connections
4) specificity of synaptic pruning
What is crystalized intelligence?
dependent on learning and culture
reflects experience, knowledge, comprehension, judgement, and wisdom
How does crystalized intelligence change throughout the lifespan?
rises until age 70 +/-
What is fluid intelligence?
ability to identify complex relations/situations and make conclusions/inferences on the basis of the comprehension
What is fluid intelligence measured by?
cognitive tasks
not really general knowledge
How does fluid intelligence change across the lifespan?
declines from mid 20s on
What are the 2 views of cognitive change over the lifespan?
1) crystallized and fluid intelligence (separate)
2) representation and control (interact)