Cognition

COGNITIONMemory Enhancement in Older Adults

“18”

Cross-sectional Studies: Cohort EffectsTesting people of various

ages at the same point in time using standardized tests

Standardized Testing

Longitudinal StudiesThe same people are studied over a span of time

Intelligence Types

1. Fluid intelligence information processing and memory

2. Crystallized intelligence information people have learned through experience and that they can apply in problem-solving situations

Fluid vs Crystallized Development

Cognitive Decline and Aging

Normal Aging is associated with progressive functional losses in Perception Cognition Memory

Age-Related Cognitive Decline (ARCD)

Non-pathological losses in cognitive function

Nearly universal aspect of aging

Negatively impacts quality of life

May begin as early as 30 Tends to slowly worsen

steadily with age

Brain Plasticity

The brain’s lifelong capacity for physical and functional change

Enables experience to induce learning throughout life

Plasticity Processes

Inherently Competitive

Will always be a “winner” and a “loser”

Plastic changes with negative consequences are just as common as those with positive outcomes

Causes of ARCD

A combination of1. Physical changes in

the aging brain2. Brain plasticity with

negative consequences

Memory Enhancement Study in Healthy Older Adults

“Because the brain retains a lifelong capacity for plasticity and adaptive reorganization, dimensions of negative reorganization should be at least partially reversible through the use of an appropriately designed training program”

Brain Plasticity Research Study

The adult brain is adaptive at any age has a lifelong capacity

to refine the spacial or temporal features of sensory inputs or of movements

Video ClipsExercise Your Brain - Dr Sanjay Gupta Art Kramer- Beckman Institute (3:56)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPD7HwH5pvo&feature=related

Brain plasticity and strength training movements Super Body, Super Brain (1:55)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml1rjIMjB3o

How MRI works (1:31)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E1GoWhSlho&feature=related

How fMRI works (0:22)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVht8AMknfc

Art Kramer- Beckman Institute (detailed) (8:46)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o98aYKPAs34

Ron White and 6 year-old (5:03)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAJkv-l_t_A

Link A Harvard Psychiatrist Explains Zombie

Neurobiologyhttp://io9.com/5286145/a-harvard-psychiatrist-explains-zombie-neurobiology

Discussion Questions

1. Can increases in crystallized intelligence compensate partially or fully for declines in fluid intelligence in older adults?

Discussion Questions

2. What types of activities can people do to maintain or increase intelligence in adulthood?