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24 - Late Adulthood: Cognitive Development

24 - Late Adulthood: Cognitive Development. The Aging Brain. Brain slowdown. Neurotransmitters are reduced Reaction time, talking, thinking, walking slows Varies markedly by individuals. Neuroscience.

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24 - Late Adulthood: Cognitive Development

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  1. 24 - Late Adulthood: Cognitive Development

  2. The Aging Brain

  3. Brain slowdown • Neurotransmitters are reduced • Reaction time, talking, thinking, walking slows • Varies markedly by individuals

  4. Neuroscience • Hypothalamus (memory) & Prefrontal cortex (processing, planning, coordinating thoughts) • Shrink faster than other areas • Varies based on • Education • Good health • Mental exercise

  5. Using more of the brain • Using both hemispheres of the brain becomes more likely

  6. Usual Information processing after age 65

  7. Memory • Working memory • Temporary storage of information for conscious use • Reduced • Takes longer to perceive & process sensations • Inhibits multitasking • If older people can take their time and concentrate, working memory seems as good as ever • Long-term memory • Emotional memories – endure • E.g. “I was so happy!”

  8. Control processes • Memory, retrieval strategies, selective attention & problem solving (logical analysis) • Become less effective • Priming of memories helps • Recognition • At every age, recognition memory is better than recall • Multiple choice vs. essay • Priming • Presenting memory triggers (word, smell, song, etc.)

  9. Output • Normal decline in verbal meaning, spatial orientation, inductive reasoning , numerical ability & word fluency • Influenced by Health • Better predictor of cognition than age • Influenced by training in cognitive skills • Training can improve any cognitive decline

  10. Impaired functioning: Diseases that affect the brain

  11. Dementia • Organic brain damage or disease • Abnormal and pathological loss of brain functioning • Chronic, long lasting

  12. Alzheimer disease • Causes deterioration of memory and personality • Absentmindedness about recent events is the first stage • Most common cause of dementia • Caused by plaques and tangles of proteins in the brain • Many genes may be involved • Stages: From confusion to death • Beginning • Forgetful, personality changes • Memory loss – eventually becomes dangerous • Forgetting about a lighted stove (3rd. Stage of Alzheimer) • Final stage • Full-time care needed • Identity and personality are lost

  13. Vascular dementia • Caused by insufficient blood supply to the brain • Repeated infarcts (Obstructions of blood vessels in the brain) • Causes strokes

  14. Other dementias • Frontal lobe dementia • Personality changes • Deterioration of frontal lobes & amygdala • Pick disease is the most common form • People are disinhibited, impulsive, emotionally indifferent • Parkinson disease • Does not always lead to dementia • Lewy body dementia • Caused by deposits of protein (Lewy bodies) in the neuron • Motor movements and cognition effected • Main symptom is loss of inhibition

  15. Prevention and treatment • Regular exercise • Avoid pathogens causing dementia • Mad cow disease • AIDS • Syphilis • Syphilitic insanity

  16. Reversible impairment • Depression = Most common reversible cause of dementia related symptoms • Lack of nutrients (Malnourished) • As bodies age they become less efficient at digesting food and using its nutrients • Poly-pharmacy • Drug side effects, interactions, and overmedication all can cause dementia symptoms • Alcohol use

  17. The optimal: New Cognitive Development

  18. Theories • Erikson • Integrity vs. despair • Older people gain interest in the arts, children • Maslow • Self-actualization • Creative, philosophical & spiritual understanding • Life review • Examination of your life • Putting your life into perspective • Sharing your life with recorded, written and verbal stories

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