Exam 1 Flashcards
Where do cognitive processes and memory occur?
Cerebrum, brain stem, cerebellum, CNS, PNS
Randomly occurring genetic mutations progressively destroy DNA that causes aging
Genetic
Environmental changes contribute to aging
Free radical oxidation
Mutations are not random, mutations are programmed and high ordered
Alternative theory
Anatomical changes such as neurotic placques, neurofibrillary tangles, and lewy bodies cause aging
Neuropathological changes
What are some examples of slowing in neural processing?
Loss of myelin, loss of dendrite branching, decrease in transmitter synthesis, decrease in post-synaptic receptors
Cognitive effects of aging are affected by when you’re born (life experiences)
Cohort hypothesis
What factors can change our aging?
Genetic, environmental, health conditions, lifestyles
What is one downfall of brains cells regenerating?
New brain cells need to be trained when we lose the old brain cells
What happens with the prefrontal cortex during aging?
Accelerated rate of shrinkage
What are the effects of aging on language?
Use both hemispheres of the brain, decrease in verbal production, decrease in decoding and production of syntactic complexity, decrease distraction inhibition, decrease multi-tasking, increase egocentrism
What are some typical age-related changes?
Sometimes forgetting names/dates but remember them later, making occasional numeric errors, occasionally need help with microwave or tv, visual changes, sometimes having trouble to find the right word, misplacing item and retracing steps to find them later, irritability when routine is disrupted
What are some factors underlying cognitive changes with age?
Changes in sensory system
What are predictors of age-related cognitive loss?
Difficulty in identifying odors, diabetes, level of education, size of social network, history of depression
Type of intelligence that includes hard wired information, basic knowledge and skills that accumulates over the lifespan; tends to be preserved with age
Crystalized intelligence
