Exam 2: Chapter 13 - Cognitive Function Flashcards
Defining Cognition
- Cognition: from Latin meaning ‘to ____ or conceptualize’.
- Cognition involves the ability to concentrate, divide attention, learn, remember, make a plan, execute a plan, self-regulate, recognize objects, evaluate, construct ideas, think logically, solve problems, etc.
- Cognitive Science: study of ______ processing related to memory, attention, recognition, problem solving, understanding, and decision making.
know
mental
Cognition Across the Lifespan
- Focus and interest varies across the ______.
- Early childhood: developmental processes.
- Later childhood: learning; emotional development.
- Adolescence: learning; decision-making; risk-taking.
- Adulthood: maintenance of mental focus and performance.
- Older adulthood: limiting age-related declines.
lifespan
Cognitive Decline Terminology
- Normal Age-Related Brain Changes: reduced brain ______, plaque formation, altered brain chemistry.
- Mild Cognitive Impairment: intermediate stage between normal age-related declines and ________.
- Dementia: loss of _______ and other mental abilities sufficient to interfere with daily life.
- Impacts language, motor activity, object recognition, executive function disturbance.
volume
dementia
memory
Primary Dementia Categories
- Vascular Dementia: brain injury, microscopic ________, vessel blockage; linked to _____.
- Makes up 80+% of cases.
bleeding
stroke
Primary Dementia Categories
- Alzheimer’s: loss of synapses and _______; brain _______; amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles
- Makes up 10+% of cases.
neurons
atrophy
Primary Dementia Categories
*__________: loss of synapses and neurons; brain atrophy; amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.
*________ Dementia: brain injury, microscopic bleeding, vessel blockage; linked to stroke.
*Note: increased life expectancy increases ________ on brain functioning to be maintained with advanced aging.
Alzheimer’s (10+% of cases)
Vascular dementia (80+% of cases)
pressure
Statistics
- Dementia:
- One in seven US adults 70+ years.
- Risk _______ every 5 years starting at age 65.
- Alzheimer’s
- ____ before 65 years.
- 5+ million cases in U.S.
- 6th leading cause of death in U.S.
*Note: increased life expectancy increases pressure on _____ ________ to be maintained with advanced aging.
doubles
Rare
brain functioning
Measurement Considerations
- ‘Everyday Cognition’
- Memory, language, visual-spatial abilities, planning, organization, divided attention.
- Laboratory Manipulations
- Stroop, mirror tracing, digit span, eye blink, oddball, color trails, etc.
- Electrophysiology
- EEG, ERP
Yuh.
Treatment of Cognitive Decline
*Treatment tends to center on ‘_________ symptoms’ and ‘________ declines’ rather than disease elimination.
- Pharmacological.
- Dietary Intervention.
- Mental Activity –> brain games, crossword puzzles (cognitive stimulation).
- Physical Activity.
lessening
slowing
Exercise and Cognitive Performance
*Research is clear that PA benefits cognitive performance, brain structure, and brain function in _____ adults.
- Increased activity and fitness reduces the risk of cognitive decline by __% with evidence of a dose response relationship.
- Optimal dosing remains uncertain.
*Age-related cognitive impairments respond favorably to PA interventions.
older
30%
Exercise and Cognitive Performance
- Resistance and aerobic exercise likely provide ______ benefits.
- PA benefits most/all cognitive tasks but is likely most beneficial for advanced ‘_________ functions’ tasks in compared to lower level visuospatial or speed-related tasks.
- Mechanism of Action
- Unknown but may link to PA’s impact on BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and brain plasticity.
similar
executive
Academic Success
*A primary concern for school districts links to academic performance which has led to _________ in PE, recess, and other non-core subject areas such as music and art.
- Factors that influence academic success
- Skills and Attitudes: attention, concentration, memory, creativity, etc.
- Behaviors: conduct, attendance, homework completion, time on task.
- Achievement: grades, standardized tests.
reductions
School-Related Statistics
- 50 million students enroll in about 100K schools with an estimated budget of more than $600 billion.
- U.S. scores are _____ average relative to other industrialized nations: math, science, and reading.
- Almost _____ as many parents believe more PE is needed than parents who believe more math and science is needed.
- Half of all U.S. high schools provide no PE classes.
below
twice
Measurement Considerations
- Cognitive performance: generally similar to assessments utilized in cognition and aging.
- Electrophysiology, executive function, stroop, etc.
- Standardized Test Achievement: typical of longer term intervention efforts.
- Academic Engagement: time on task, classroom behaviors.
Mhm.
PA and Academic Performance
*Increased PE or school-based PA maintained or _________ their grades on standardized tests despite reduced instructional time.
*______ and ___ students are more likely to have stronger academic performance.
- Activity breaks during the school day improves student __________ and classroom _______.
- Note: Not all studies indicated a positive impact of PA on academics but only 1 out of 52 reviewed demonstrates a negative impact.
increased
Active and fit
concentration and behavior
