Middle Adulthood (40 - 65 years)

Question 1

Positive influences & effects in biological and chronological aging

Answer 1

Positive influences cause decelerated aging between biological age and chronological age (i.e, decrease in slope); influences are:
- exercise
- everyday activity
- sleep time & quality
- appropriate nutrition
- relaxation techniques

Question 2

Negative influences & effects in biological and chronological aging

Answer 2

Negative influences cause accelerated aging between biological age and chronological age (i.e, increase in slope); influences are:
- sedentary behaviour
- lack of sleep
- smoking
- fast/junk food
- stress

Question 3

The trend between white matter volume & age

Answer 3

The trend is comprised of a negative quadratic coefficient that causes the parabola’s ends to point downward. The peak in white matter volume is around 40-50 years.

Question 4

The trend in grey matter volume & age

Answer 4

Exponential decay slowly over time; grey matter volume starts at around 90-95 millimetres before reaching approximately 70 millilitres consistently around 80-90 years

Question 5

The trend in CSF volume & age

Answer 5

Linear increases over time; y-intercept is approximately ten years.

Question 6

Overall trends in the brain & nervous system in middle adulthood

Answer 6

• Synapses continue to form (more are loss)
• Areas