Ch. 2 Neuroscience as a Basis of Adult Development and Aging

Question 1

What is neuroimaging?

Answer 1

It is a set of techniques that takes various pictures of the brain to help us better understand normal and abnormal cognitive aging.

Question 2

What are the two types of neuroimaging techniques?

Answer 2

Structural and functional neuroimaging

Question 3

What is the difference between functional and structural neuroimaging?

Answer 3

Structural imaging allows us to see the physical strucutre of the brain while functional imaging allwos us to see brain activity during specific tasks.

Question 4

What is the neuropsychological approach?

Answer 4

The neuropsychological approach is when researchers compare the brain functioning of healthy adults to those with pathological disorders.

Question 5

What is the neurocorrelational approach?

Answer 5

The neurocorrelational approach is when researchers compare cognitive performance to measures of brain structure or functioning.

Question 6

What is the active imaging approach?

Answer 6

The active imaging approach is when researchers attempt to link functional brain activity with cognitive behavioral data.

Question 7

What functions are the frontal and prefrontal cortex responsible for?

Answer 7

Higher-order executive functions (ex. making/carrying out plans, switching between tasks, and maintaining focus).

Question 8

What functions are the cerebellum responsible for?

Answer 8

Controlling balance and coordination of fine motor movements.

Question 9

What function is the hippocampus responsible for?

Answer 9

Memory

Question 10

What is the limbic system?

Answer 10

Set of brain structures involved with emotion, motivation, and long-term memory.

Question 11

What are three age-related changes that occur in neurons?

Answer 11

• Number of neurons decline
• Size and number of dendrites decreases
• Increase in deposit of certain proteins

Question 12

What two age-related changes occur in brain structures?

Answer 12

• Antropy (shrinking) of certain brain regions like the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and cerebellum.
• White matter deteriorates

Question 13

What is the Theory of Mind?

Answer 13

The ability that helps us understand that other people have different beliefs, opinions, feelings, ideas, etc. than our own.

Question 14

What does poor performance on executive functioning indicate?

Answer 14

Decreased volume of prefrontal cortex and degeneration of connections among various regions.

Question 15

Is the increase or reduction of the hippocampus related to memory decline?

Answer 15

Reduction

Question 16

True or False: Changes in brain activity in the amygdala and prefrontal cortex are related to an increase in processing negative emotional info. and a decrease in processing positive emotional info.

Answer 16

False. Changes in brain activity in the amygdala and prefrontal cortex are related to a DECREASE in processing negative info. and an INCREASE in processing positive info. This shows that older adults have increased emotional regulation.

Question 17

What is one explanation for why pathways of emotion don’t deteriorate while pathways of memory do?

Answer 17

Older adults are more motivated to derive emotional meaning from life and maintain positive feelings (positivity effect).

Question 18

What is the Parieto-Frontal Integration Theory?

Answer 18

A theory that proposes that intelligence comes from an integrated network of neurons in the parietal and frontal areas of the brain.

Question 19

Is there more bilateral or unilateral activation in older adult brains? Why?

Answer 19

Bilateral. The brain compensates for deterioration by activating both hemispheres.

Question 20

What does the HAROLD model say about bilateralization in older adults?

Answer 20

It states that bilateralization occurs because the brain is compensating for deterioration by calling for additional resources.

Question 21

What does the CRUNCH model say about bilateralization in older adults?

Answer 21

It states that the aging brain uses bilaterlization to adapt to neural decline but that is not the only way the brain compensates.

Question 22

What two mechanisms does the brain use to compensate (according to the CRUNCH model)?

Answer 22

1. More of the same - More activation occurs in the same brain region
2. Supplementary processes - Different brain regions are activated to compensate for lacking processing resources.

Question 23

What does the PASA model say about bilateralization in older adults?

Answer 23

It states that an activation shift from the back parts of the brain (posterior) to the front parts (anterior) reflects age-related compensation.

Question 24

What does the STAC-r Model say about bilateralization in older adults?

Answer 24

It states that adults continue to perform at high levels despite deterioration because of back up neural pathways called scaffoldings.

Question 25

According to the STAC-r Model, what are some resources that enhance neural resources?

Answer 25

Intellectual engagement, Fitness, Multilingualism

Question 26

According to the STAC-r Model, what are some resources that deplete neural resources?

Answer 26

Stress, Vascular disease, depression, Head trauma

Question 27

According to Erikson and colleagues, higher aerobic fitness levels are associated with ____________

Answer 27

Preservation of greater hippocampal volume

Question 28

What two things can aerobic exercise do for the brain?

Answer 28

It can enhance brain plasticity and counter declines in the hippocampus.

Question 29

Higher blood plasma levels of _______ and ________ have been associated with better cognitive functioning and better brain volumes

Answer 29

Vitamins B, C, D, E and omega 3 fatty acids