Ageing and physiology

Question 1

Sensory, perceptual and motor abilities

Answer 1

Loss in sensory abilities (vision, hearing)

As age increases, physiological function decreases

Theses variables tend to correlate with each other so strongly that they represent a common factor

Cognitive abilities (WM, EM, etc) start to decline

Question 2

Common cause hypothesis (Lindenberger & Baltes, 1994)

Answer 2

Age related decline in cognition and sensorimotor function is due to the deterioration of common neurological processes

Sensorimotor abilities can be a strong predictor of cognitive decline

Because fluctuation of sensorimotor abilities increases with age, this neurological deterioration and its correlation with cognitive ability increases with age

Implications = We only need sensorimotor function rather than cognitive decline

Indirect effect of age on sensorimotor and cognitive ability via a common cause

Question 3

Sensory deprivation

Answer 3

S/P/M ability > social engagement > cognitive ability

Declining could lead to social withdrawal which would have knock on effects on cognitive ability

Question 4

Cognitive load on sensory performance

Answer 4

The casual direction could work in reverse

Deficits in cognitive ability may affect the sensory function

S/P/M ability < Cognitive ability

Question 5

Sleep and circadian arousal

Answer 5

Rasch & Born (2013)

Slow wave sleep

Possible potential oscillations :

• Slow oscillation
• Spindle
• Sharp wave-ripple

Question 6

How does sleep change with age

Answer 6

Ohayon et (2004)

Meta analysis about changes in sleep patterns with age

Slow wave sleep is particularly diminished as age increases

Question 7

Study Rasch et al (2007)

Answer 7

Memory game before sleep, presented with a rose smell

Memory improved when representing the odour during SWS vs control

Question 8

Hippocampo-neocortical dialogue

Answer 8

A frame work for how ageing sleep dependent memory consolidation

Reactivations are associated with short waves and are driven by slow oscillations that synchronise hippocampal memory reactivations with the occurrence of sleep spindles

Question 9

Physical exercise

Answer 9

Physical exercise interventions generally improve cognition abilities, brain plasticity and mental and physical health across lifespan

Question 10

Different kinds of exercise studies

Answer 10

Correlational
Cross sectional = Reported exercise/cognition relations at a single point
Longitudinal = baseline reported exercise and gains later
We don’t know the directional correlation

Interventions
Longitudinal = Immediate effect of physical exercise on cognition vs control
Longitudinal = long term effects

Question 11

Different forms of interventions

Answer 11

Control group
Passive

Exercise group
Cardiovascular only
Resistance/strength
Combination with strength training

Question 12

Physical exercise and cognitive ability

Answer 12

Colcombe & Kramer (2003)

Physical exercise improves cognitive ability overall but effects are strongest for executive tasks

Largest effects were for executive tasks

Question 13

Physical exercise and brain plasticity

Answer 13

Colcombe et al (2006)

Exercise shows increase in cog abilities and brain regions

Exercise increases volume in grey and white matter in older ages

The exercise intervention doesn’t need to be strenuous

Exercise training increased hippocampal volume by 2% associated with improvements

More O2 to the brain means more blood flow which prompts these changes

Question 14

Physical exercise and mental health

Answer 14

Regular exercise enhances mental health

Positive social interactions, ability to cope with stress, self-esteem and self control

Question 15

Physical exercise and physical health

Answer 15

Regular exercise reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, hypertension, type 2 diabetes which are all associated with a higher risk of dementia