Normal cognitive ageing - EF

Question 1

Longitudinal study results

Answer 1

Manipulation of WM went down in all participants at second assessment (14 yrs later)

Switching went down in about half

Inhibition (perseverations on fluency), WM, Long-term memory (delayed free recall)

Question 2

Brinley plots

Answer 2

Function that shows the linear effect. If single line can fit the points, the effect of ageing is expressed by the same factor.

• Evidence that EF does not decrease more as was suggested
• Also don’t emerge earlier than impairments in other cognitive functions
• EF deficits do not account for deficits in other cognitive functions

Question 3

Brain changes

Answer 3

Decline in volume is more rapid in lateral and medial frontal cortex than in other parts.

EF relies on intact frontal lobes, meaning these changes are more in line with EF theories than the cognitive changes.

Question 4

Overall EF changes

Answer 4

Mostly explained by age effects in speed of processing. EF has no unique effect on other cognitive functions