Lecture 5: The Aging Brain Flashcards
What structural changes are observed in the aging brain?
lower volumes of grey matter resulting from reduced synaptic densities
Some regions such as the prefrontal cortex and the medial temporal are more affected than others
Volume of grey matter changes depending on the region
How are these changes related to cognitive function?
Prefrontal cortex volume correlates with
Measures of fluid intelligence and Preservative errors on the Wisconsin cad sorting task
White abnormalities are associated with poor performance in Processing speed
Executive function and can cause Immediate and delayed memory
Age related decrease in frontal white matter coherence are correlated with decreased
Processing speed and Reasoning ability
How do we keep our brains healthy?
- stay intellectually engaged: At best, mental activity seems to
protect against age-related declines and
progression to AD.
* At worst, it increases an individual’s
baseline level so that age-related
declines begin to affect everyday
functioning later in life.
* Enriched environments stimulate
neurogenesis in aged rats, indicating a
possible mechanism for the benefits of
cognitive stimulation. - maintain cardiovascular physical activity
Exercise:
* aids executive function
* reduces declines in tissue density in
frontal, parietal and temporal cortex
* might have global effects on the
brain - Minimize chronic stressors
Proneness to distress is associated
with increased risk of AD and a
faster rate of cognitive decline
* Increased glucocorticoid levels,
which accompany stress, might
damage hippocampal neurons over
the lifespan
* Cortisol administration reduces
glucose metabolism in the
hippocampus in normal older adults - maintain a brain healthy diet
diet that is high in poly- and
mono-unsaturated fatty acids (as
found in fish and olive oil),
vitamin E and polyphenols and
antioxidants (found in citrus and
dark-skinned fruits and
vegetables) might slow cognitive
decline and prevent progression
to AD.
What is a compensatory strategy?
techniques or modifications to our behavior or environment that are used to compensate for a deficit, weakness, injury or perceived inadequacy in a specific area or skill.
